From Buenaventura to Berlin

Transnational organised crime (TOC) ranks among the most pressing social, political and economic threats to society, the state, the environment and development in Latin America. Ever-changing forms of criminal governance undermine the legitimacy of democratic institutions and decision-making processes. The breeding ground for this is corruption, structural inequality, a lack of economic prospects and limited opportunities for social advancement. 

An effective policy to curb TOC requires a holistic approach that brings together domestic, foreign and development policy perspectives and places human security at the centre. Such a strategic orientation stands in contrast to the security strategy of the second Trump administration, which relies on military solutions. This carries the risk that the fight against organised crime will be politically exploited to legitimise military interventions in the Western Hemisphere that violate international law.

TOC has long posed an acute risk to human security in Germany and Europe as well. Alongside drug trafficking, human trafficking, forced prostitution, environmental and weapons-related crime, and cybercrime are among the key sources of revenue for criminal groups. The resulting flows of goods and finance reach Europe via highly efficient supply chains. At the same time, criminal networks are increasing their influence over legal economic structures, particularly through money laundering.

How are the supply chains and routes from Latin America to Germany structured, and what social dynamics drive them? This analysis helps to identify countermeasures in light of the acute cocaine glut in Germany. The focus is on the interfaces between state and criminal structures, using examples from Colombia, Brazil and Germany, as well as the role of customs and ports.

4 pm: Welcome:

• Dr Imme Scholz, Executive Board Member of the Heinrich Böll Foundation
• Jonas Wipfler, Head of the Berlin Office of the Episcopal Relief Organisation Misereor e.V. 

Keynote:

• José Luis Caballero Ochoa, Vice-President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

4.30–6 pm: Discussion with:

• Diana Salinas, Cuestión Pública, Colombia
• Victor Vidal, former mayor of Buenaventura and Proceso Comunidades Negras (PCN), Colombia
• Carolina Grillo, Research Group on New Forms of Illegality – Fluminense University, Brazil
• Benedikt Strunz, NDR, Germany
• Arne Schwoch, Hamburg State Criminal Police Office, Port Security Center

Moderator: Regine Schönenberg, Head of the Rio de Janeiro Office, Heinrich Böll Foundation

6 pm: Reception 

Contact:
Victor Souza
Latin America Department
Heinrich Böll Foundation
E souza@boell.de 

» In-person attendance
at the Heinrich Böll Foundation Conference Centre, Schumannstr. 8, 10117 Berlin

Please register. Unfortunately, places are limited. Should the venue reach full capacity, we will broadcast the conference via video to other rooms. Please note that there is no guarantee of a seat in the main hall.

» Livestream
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» Towards accessibility
At the Heinrich Böll Foundation, we are committed to continuously breaking down barriers – whether within our organisation, in our publications, or in our online events. All relevant information can be found at the following link: https://www.boell.de/de/auf-dem-weg-zur-barrierefreiheit