Over the past decade, rates of violence, corruption, and criminal activity have increased in the countries of the United States Latin America and the the Caribbean. Research has shown that international groups, such as the Russian, Italian and Albanian mafia, are responsible for a large part of the criminal organizations in these countries. However, Mafia China It is one of the most influential groups in the region and his power continues to increase.

According to the study Triads, Snakeheads and Flying Money: The Underworld of Chinese Criminal Networks in Latin America and the Caribbeancarried out by researchers from the Florida International University and the Southern Command USAChinese criminal networks specialize in four illegal acts.

Trade in chemical precursors used to make drugs fentanyl, to Mexico; He money laundering using the ‘flying money’ method; He illegal trade in native species; and the Chinese human trafficking across the US border are the main areas where Chinese criminals operate.

How the Chinese Mafia Operated in Latin America and the Caribbean

According to researchers, a large number of Chinese migrants arrived in the region in the 19th century, coming from poor areas in southern China. Throughout the 20th century, migration was distributed and remains so today Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, Panama, Argentina, Cuba and Mexico have the largest Chinese communities.

The vast majority of members of these communities are entrepreneurs, people who earn a legitimate income. But the research shows that there are certain individuals who are caught up in one a dark network of illegal activities that forms the so-called Chinese triads.

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Of all the different groups of triads, the 14K This triad is the largest global network involved drug trafficking, illegal gambling, extortion, human trafficking and other criminal activities. Not left behind Fujian mafiawhich has also been linked to human trafficking.

While there are no official databases tracking Chinese criminal groups across the region, Most of China’s 35 transnational human trafficking networks originate from Fujian or any other place in South China.

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The role of Chinese mafia in drug trafficking and money laundering

In June 2023, the United States Department of State has indicted four Chinese biotechnologists and pharmaceutical companies for knowing about the sale of fentanyl precursors to Mexican cartels. There they are mixed with other components to make the drug and market it in North America, which is a health crisis In the U.S.

According to the study Chinese fentanyl regulations are not transparent and they don’t stop the flow of drugs into the United States.

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According to Beijing-headquartered Felbab-Brown, the government is not pursuing Chinese criminals because “provide a variety of services to Chinese legal companiesincluding those associated with the government, officials and the Chinese Communist Party.”

Furthermore, the Chinese government has created a culture in which officials “extend the umbrella of government protection and authority to actors operating in both legal and illegal enterprises, as well as outright criminal groups.”

The same goes for Chinese criminals who are changing the money laundering market in Latin America, enabling Mexican cartels and other criminal groups in the region. quickly launder millions and millions of dollars and with less risk of being discovered.

Chinese money launderers typically charge only 1 to 2 percent commission and complete illegal transactions within days.

This process often involves a network of China-based banks that facilitate transfers between each of the actors. These banks are not very transparent about these issues and tensions between the United States and China have prevented any bilateral cooperation to stop them.

Species trafficking and human trafficking, criminal activities in which Chinese criminal groups are guilty

China is the world’s largest market for illegal wildlife products. According to research, demand is driven by Chinese citizens using wild animals as ingredients in traditional medicine or cooking.

Mexican criminal groups are said to sell legal and illegal wildlife products to Chinese traders in exchange for fentanyl and methamphetaminewhich they then send to the United States, Europe and other locations.

Some of these products include totoaba bladders, butterfly and ominous jaws, seahorses, sea cucumbers, abalones, tiger bones and teeth, and shark fins.

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One sector linked to the illegal wildlife trade is illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

Every year, More than 300 Chinese fishing vessels operate from Peru, Argentina and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.

Allegedly illegal fishing deprives the region of $2.3 billion and threatens food insecurity and disrupts the working lives of local fishermen.

Chinese, a language that is becoming increasingly visible in trade

But the human trafficking industry also involves people, the study said.

In recent years, difficulties in obtaining US visas and the lingering economic impact of blockades have increased COVID-19 of China have created an unprecedented crisis Chinese citizens attempt to cross the border into the United States.

Some Chinese criminal groups have learned to provide false documents to potential illegal immigrants to obtain visas.

The first stop is usually Türkiye or Qatar Ecuador, the only South American country that does not require a visa for Chinese citizens.

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Many of these migrants rely on Chinese restaurants along the route to get money from Chinese payment apps.

Once illegal immigrants arrive in the United States, they often rely on law firms in Chinatown to do so They specialize in fraudulently helping immigrants obtain asylum.

The responsibility of the Chinese government

There is no evidence that the government of the People’s Republic of China (RPC) is directly involved in these illegal activities. However, persistent corruption and impunity for criminals do mean that Municipal officials can benefit from these illegal groups.

These networks are often decentralized, although several have ties to Chinese triads and the Fujian mafia.

The study recommends that the Chinese government take certain measures:

Ecuador is recommended to reconsider its policy of not requiring visas for Chinese citizens. (JO)