Uruguay pleads DEA to help with rising drug violence

Sixteen years ago, Uruguay’s primary port received a pair of cargo scanners for detecting drugs and other questionable shipments. However, during delivery, one of these scanners accidentally plunged into the sea.

Since then, there has been a significant increase in cocaine trafficking to Europe through the port of Montevideo, which managed a record-breaking 1.1 million containers last year. This surge has fuelled a rise in gang-related violence, undermining Uruguay’s reputation as a stable beacon in turbulent South America.

Desperate for assistance, Uruguay, a small and prosperous nation nestled between Brazil and Argentina, has repeatedly sought aid. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) closed its Montevideo office in 2019 after strained relations with local law enforcement, as confirmed by four former DEA officials.

Despite repeated requests from Uruguay’s current centre-right government, the DEA has shown no immediate plans to return. According to former DEA officials, Washington’s attention is primarily focused on the influx of fentanyl from Mexico, with little concern for the cocaine passing through Uruguay, which largely bypasses the United States.

European nations, the primary recipients of the cocaine transiting through Uruguay, have minimal presence in counter-narcotics efforts in the region. Spain is the sole European country with a permanent police attaché in Montevideo.

The situation in Uruguay is precarious, with the country battling against cocaine smuggling gangs that have expanded throughout Latin America, transforming once-peaceful nations like Ecuador into hubs for drug cartels. Despite its small population of 3.4 million, Uruguay witnessed a record 426 murders in 2018, and violence has remained high since then.

President Luis Lacalle Pou faces challenges in defending his government’s security record ahead of the upcoming general election, with some far-right lawmakers advocating for military intervention.

Uruguay’s interior minister, Nicolás Martinelli, has expressed frustration at the lack of support from the DEA, highlighting the country’s urgent need for assistance in equipment and expertise. However, Uruguay’s status as a high-income nation excludes it from receiving U.S. counter-narcotics donations.

The strained relationship between Uruguay and the DEA has historical roots, with leftist governments in power from 2005 to 2020 viewing U.S. policies in Latin America unfavourably. This hindered collaboration on counter-narcotics efforts.

Uruguay’s previous complacency and denial about the extent of cocaine trafficking within its borders contributed to the worsening situation. Seizures of cocaine have surged in recent years, with over 2 metric tonnes confiscated in 2021, a significant increase from 2017.

Efforts to combat drug trafficking are hindered by a lack of resources and cooperation. The DEA’s departure from Uruguay in 2019 underscored the deteriorating relations, with local authorities reluctant to collaborate effectively.

Despite the challenges, Uruguay remains committed to tackling drug trafficking. The government has invested in additional cargo scanners for the port of Montevideo and seeks support from international partners.

However, the focus on combatting fentanyl trafficking has diverted attention away from the ongoing cocaine trade, leaving Uruguay and other countries in the region vulnerable to the influence of drug cartels.