Criminal Networks Drive Amazon's Worsening Deforestation

In 2025, organized crime and illicit economies have significantly worsened deforestation across the Amazon. Activities like illegal gold mining, logging, drug trafficking, and irregular cattle ranching are now primary causes of extensive forest loss and landscape degradation. These operations often occur in remote areas with weak state presence, enabling money laundering and merging informal and formal economies.

The Amazon, spanning nine Latin American countries, faces severe challenges from at least 17 armed groups operating in high-conflict zones. These criminal networks control land and resources, using deforestation to consolidate territorial and economic power. Reports highlight thousands of illegal mining sites, particularly in Venezuela and Brazil, linked to mercury pollution and Indigenous land invasions.

While Brazil saw an 11% drop in Amazon deforestation in 2025, and Colombia reported declining early deforestation alerts, the overall trend is concerning. The region has become the world's deadliest for environmental defenders. If current pressures persist, the Amazon risks shifting from a carbon sink to a net source of emissions, with profound global climate consequences.