Will Colombia’s newly elected president maintain his promised hard‑line security policy? How has the DEA’s approach to fentanyl shipments impacted New Mexico’s overdose crisis? And can Peru’s incoming president counter the nation’s growing political volatility and surge in organized crime?
Below are the three key organized‑crime stories highlighted in this week’s On the Radar feature.
1: Colombia’s President‑Elect Commits to a Tough Stance on Organized Crime
Far‑right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella triumphed in Colombia’s presidential election by promising to sever negotiations with criminal groups and unleash security forces against guerrillas and cartel armies. This week’s InSight Take explores the expectations on Abelardo, the potential influence of international actors—such as former President Trump—on Colombia’s drug‑trafficking strategy, and the human cost the public may be willing to accept for security gains.
2: DEA Oversight Lapses in Fentanyl Trafficking to New Mexico
According to the Associated Press, DEA agents allowed illicit fentanyl shipments to cross from Mexico into New Mexico between 2023 and 2025. The bureau cited intelligence gathering and the prospect of forthcoming prosecutions, while critics argue that the decisions directly contributed to overdose fatalities. The U.S. government has long blamed Mexican cartels for fentanyl’s deadly impact, a narrative that has evolved as the domestic overdose crisis fluctuates.
3: Keiko Fujimori Secures Peru’s Presidency
After her fourth campaign, Keiko Fujimori won Peru’s highest office, adding another conservative leader to the region’s political landscape. Peru faces entrenched organized‑crime challenges—particularly rising extortion—amid severe political instability, having seen eight presidents in a decade. Whether Fujimori can establish enduring stability and curb insecurity remains an open question.
