A Transnational Network Challenging Global Security
Analysis of Its Reach, Influence, and Geopolitical Context
Written by: La Tabla/Data Journalism Platform, Aug 22, 2025
The so-called “Narcotrafficking Board,” named by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, has emerged as a central theme in the discourse around narcotrafficking and global security. According to Petro, this criminal structure functions as a transnational alliance coordinating narcotics activities and exerting influence over state institutions.
In the wake of the terrorist attacks in Cali and Amalfi on August 21, 2025, Petro attributed these actions to armed factions controlled by this organization, describing it as an entity with branches spanning multiple continents.
This article explores its reach, areas of influence, and the geopolitical context surrounding its existence.
What is the “Narcotrafficking Board”?
Petro has characterized the board as a strategic alliance among drug trafficking groups, corrupt officials, and armed actors working in concert to control cocaine routes and other transnational crimes. Key characteristics include:
· Composition: It includes dissidents from the FARC (like the Carlos Patiño front led by Iván Mordisco), the Gulf Clan, Segunda Marquetalia, and corrupt “narcoprosctuors.”
· Global Connections: Links Albanian and Italian drug lords, with operations in Europe, Haiti, and Latin America.
· Influence in Institutions: Petro asserts the board infiltrates governments by bribing officials in Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, and Ecuador.
Areas of Influence and Operations
1. Drug Trafficking Routes
· Venezuela: Uses Apure as a hub for air and maritime transport (submarines and speedboats).
· Colombia: Controls flows in Catatumbo, the Llanos, the Bogotá Savannah, and the Caribbean.
· Europe: Prioritizes the continent as a final destination, with ties to Albanian and Italian cartels.
2. Political and Economic Influence
· State Corruption: According to Petro, the board has co-opted “an important family from Colombia” and a “liberal politician” participating in its meetings.
· Economic Impact: Warns that an invasion of Venezuela—under the pretext of narcotrafficking—could collapse oil prices to.
3. Violent Capability
· Terrorism: The attack in Cali (6 dead, 50 injured) and the assault in Amalfi (12 police dead) were attributed to factions of the board.
· Tactics: Use of car bombs, explosive drones, and motorcycle bombs, following a pattern similar to previous attacks in Cauca.
Geopolitical Context: Trump, Venezuela and the Response to Cabal
1. Dispute with Senator Cabal
· Petro responded to Cabal’s criticisms—who accused the government of complicity with Maduro’s regime—denying that the “Cartel of the Suns” controls narcotrafficking in Venezuela. Instead, he insisted the board is the real actor, comparing the accusations to “the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.”
2. U.S. Threats to Venezuela
· Military Deployment: Trump sent warships (USS Gravely, Jason Dunham, Sampson) and 4,000 marines to the Caribbean, accusing Maduro of leading the Cartel of the Suns.
· Bounty and Sanctions: The U.S. offered USD 50 million for Maduro’s capture and designated the Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist organization, with support from Ecuador and Paraguay.
· Petro’s Warning: Alerted that an invasion of Venezuela would lead to a massive migratory crisis towards Colombia and economic destabilization.
3. Regional Response
· Venezuela: Maduro mobilized 4.5 million militiamen and accused the U.S. of “imperialism.”
· Colombia: Petro criticized the U.S. military deployment as an “aggression against Latin America,” although he reiterated the need to combat the board with international cooperation.
Evidence and Controversies
· Lack of Public Evidence: Although Petro claims that the U.S. and Europe have information about the board, he has not presented concrete proof.
· Opposition Criticism: Cabal and other politicians accused Petro of using the narrative to divert attention from the failure of his “Total Peace” policy.
· Transnational Complexity: Analysts agree that narcotrafficking operates with global corrupt networks but question whether the “board” is a formal structure or a political concept.
Conclusion: A Global Challenge Requiring Cooperation
The “Narcotrafficking Board” represents—according to Petro’s narrative—a shift in organized crime towards a transnational model influencing governments, economies, and regional security. Its connection to terrorist attacks in Colombia and presumed ties to global crises (like that of Haiti) demand a coordinated response that transcends borders. However, the lack of public evidence and the geopolitical context strained by the U.S. and Venezuela adds layers of complexity. The international community faces the challenge of prioritizing cooperation over confrontation to prevent violence and corruption from spreading.