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Latin American democracy will face greater scepticism

Location:

LATIN AMERICA

Belief in democracy as a system has held up as against authoritarian alternatives. The ‘satisfaction’ criterion, however, varies strongly across countries.

Drug trafficking will worsen insecurity in Costa Rica

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COSTA RICA

Security officials blame the spike in violence on the influence of drug trafficking organisations (DTOs), which have long transited the country but which increasingly are vying to…

Organised crime will remain entrenched in Paraguay

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PARAGUAY

They discussed collaboration in fighting international organised crime in Paraguay, a growing concern for Washington. Paraguay’s geopolitical role has expanded recently as it has…

Afghan Taliban will weigh impact of opium ban

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AFGHANISTAN

The Taliban have outlawed the production, use and trafficking of all illicit drugs. The opium ban surprised many observers who doubted that the Taliban would risk the detrimental…

'Total peace' in Colombia will not materialise in 2024

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COLOMBIA

Another government ceasefire with the National Liberation Army (ELN) is due to expire on January 29. Bilateral ceasefires foster some stability amid efforts to negotiate with…

South-east Asia opium trade will likely increase

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SOUTH-EAST ASIA

The report contains the results of opium poppy cultivation surveys in Myanmar and Laos during the 2022/23 poppy season. The ‘Golden Triangle’ -- centred on the…

Afghanistan’s economic outlook is bleak

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AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban want production to expand to 19,000 b/d shortly. They are counting on the extractives sector to help boost revenue and shore up the flailing economy.

Border will strain US-Mexican ties as elections near

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US/MEXICO

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, followed discussion of the same issues by numerous government officials at the bilateral…

Coca production will have far-reaching impacts in Peru

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PERU

Peru’s share in world production appears to be increasing, notwithstanding rising output in Bolivia and Colombia. Although the ‘VRAEM’ area in southern Peru accounts for most…

Paraguay's Pena will face major governance challenges

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PARAGUAY

His inaugural speech displayed commitment to a right-wing economic strategy and pro-US foreign policy. However, it omitted two potential threats to governance: renegotiation of…