International
Latin American alert: Imminent risk of a fentanyl crisis?
November 29 |
On the streets, fentanyl is known as “King Ivory”, “White Chiva”, “Tango” or “Murder 8”. This synthetic opioid, which authorities claim is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, has raised red flags in Latin America, raising the possibility of facing its own fentanyl crisis.
Brian Clark, a special agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), describes it as the cause of the most devastating drug crisis in U.S. history. Its ease of manufacture, low cost and high lethality make it a significant threat.
In this context, Lisa Monaco, U.S. Assistant Attorney General, highlights the key feature of fentanyl that contributes to its dangerousness: it is fully synthetic and its supply is potentially unlimited.
The increase in fentanyl seizures in Latin America is alarming, reports InSight Crime. Countries such as Costa Rica, Argentina, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Brazil and Venezuela have been affected by this growing trend.
Argentina experienced a significant case last year in which a mixture of cocaine and an extremely strong type of fentanyl resulted in the death of 24 people in 24 hours, according to Candice Welsch, regional representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Given this scenario, the question arises: Is it imperative for the region to take immediate preventive measures?
Experts highlight the importance of comparing the illicit use of fentanyl between Latin America and other regions, as well as its origin. While in the United States the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels are responsible for the flow of fentanyl, in South America the problem lies more in the diversion of medical fentanyl into illicit channels, rather than its illegal production, according to Julian Quintero, a researcher at ATS Corporation.
The presence of other synthetic drugs in the region, such as tusi, ecstasy and ketamine, poses an ongoing challenge and could facilitate the expansion of fentanyl in an already receptive market, warns Welsch.
While experts consider it unlikely that illegal fentanyl produced in Mexico will be widely distributed in Latin America, they urge not to underestimate its presence. The region does not have a marked history of opioid use as in the United States, but Quintero notes that the trend in consumption is toward stimulants.
Faced with these challenges, experts emphasize the importance of implementing preventive measures in the region, suggesting strengthening the legislative framework and preparing adequately to face a possible arrival of fentanyl. Expertise in substance testing, supervised consumption rooms and community education are essential tools to mitigate the risks associated with this dangerous substance.
International
Top U.S. Military Commander Meets Interim Venezuelan Leaders After Maduro’s Capture
The commander of the United States Southern Command, Marine Francis L. Donovan, visited Venezuela on Wednesday, holding meetings with interim leaders following the recent capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces. The visit, confirmed by both U.S. and Venezuelan officials, marked a significant diplomatic and security engagement in Caracas.
Donovan, accompanied by senior U.S. officials including acting Assistant Secretary of Defense Joseph M. Humire and top diplomat Laura Dogu, met with acting President Delcy Rodríguez and key members of her cabinet, including Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello.
According to official statements, discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation on regional security issues, including efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking, terrorism, and migration. Both sides reiterated a commitment to pursuing diplomatic engagement and shared security goals for Venezuela and the Western Hemisphere.
The meetings also discussed progress on a three-phase plan supported by the United States to help stabilize Venezuela, following Maduro’s removal from power and subsequent detention in the U.S. on drug-related charges. This agenda reflects expanding U.S. engagement with Venezuela’s interim government amid broader efforts to restore diplomatic relations and address regional challenges.
The visit concluded on Wednesday, underscoring a growing U.S. focus on cooperation with Venezuelan authorities in the aftermath of major political developments earlier this year.
International
Bayly Says Trump ‘Gets Along Better With Dictators’ and Criticizes U.S.–Venezuela Policy
Peruvian author and journalist Jaime Bayly said Tuesday in Madrid that U.S. President Donald Trump “gets along better with dictators than he does with democrats” and that his administration is experiencing “a honeymoon with the Venezuelan dictatorship,” according to a report on his remarks during the launch of his new novel Los golpistas (Galaxia Gutenberg).
Bayly made the comments while presenting the book, which reconstructs the turbulent three days in April 2002 when Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez briefly lost power. He also sharply criticized the current Venezuelan leadership, saying that Delcy Rodríguez should be recognized as a dictator and “a continuation of Maduro’s dictatorship.”
The writer lamented that the failed 2002 coup — which he described as carried out by “amateurs” — did not lead to free elections that might have restored democracy to Venezuela. He argued that, even now, U.S. policy under Trump seems more focused on securing access to Venezuelan oil than on supporting Venezuelans’ freedom. “Venezuela could have chosen a free, clean and legitimate government — which we still impatiently await despite Trump, who only seems interested in freeing Venezuelan oil, not Venezuelans,” Bayly said.
Bayly also claimed that “every day that passes, Trump seems more enchanted with Delcy,” suggesting that Washington might leave Venezuelan leaders in power so long as they cooperate on economic interests.
A U.S. citizen who has lived in Miami for decades, Bayly said he is proud never to have voted for Trump, whom he described as “servile with the powerful and cruel with the weak.” He also criticized U.S. immigration enforcement as abusive.
Regarding the book’s creative process, Bayly said he combined extensive documentation and interviews with historical events, weaving fictional dialogue and narrative into real episodes without altering core facts. Los golpistas explores why the April 2002 coup attempt against Chávez failed and how key figures such as Chávez and Cuban leader Fidel Castroshaped modern Venezuelan history.
International
Maduro and Cilia Flores Receive Consular Visit in U.S. Jail Ahead of March 26 Hearing
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is detained in the United States, and his wife, Cilia Flores, received a consular visit from a Venezuelan government official on January 30 while they remain in a New York jail awaiting their next court appearance, scheduled for March 26, 2026, according to a court filing.
The notification, submitted to the judge by prosecutors and the defense and now part of the digital case file, states that Maduro and Flores were visited by “an official representing the Republic of Venezuela to help facilitate any services the accused needed.”
The document also notes that U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein ordered the U.S. prosecutor’s office at the couple’s first court appearance on January 5 to ensure they had access to consular services and to inform the court when such access was provided.
Their next hearing was postponed by the court from an original date of March 17 to March 26 at 11:00 a.m., after prosecutors, with the consent of the defense, requested extra time to gather evidence, allow the defense to review it, and determine which pretrial motions they will file, the filing says.
Maduro has denied wrongdoing, calling himself “innocent” of the narcotics charges authorities have brought in federal court.
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