Tussle for the Amazon

This report was originally published by the Florida International University's Jack D. Gordon Institute (reprinted here with permission).

Three major groups currently vie for power in Brazil's Amazonas state, following the disintegration of a decades-long truce. While this shift has been localized in Amazonas state, its effects have been felt throughout the region and the world as Brazilian criminal groups expand their operations throughout Latin America and beyond. In this report for Florida International University's Jack D. Gordon Institute, Americas Senior Fellow Ryan C. Berg breaks down the changing dynamics in Brazil's criminal groups through the lens of 5 attributes that make the Amazon strategically important. The “tussle for the Amazon” is more than a mere clash between Brazil’s transnational organized crime groups. It is a threat to regional stability and imperils neighboring Latin American countries.

This report was made possible with generous support from the Florida International University.