Written by: LaTabla/Data Journalism Platform
Geostrategic analysis is an analytical methodology that merges the theoretical framework of geostrategy—the study of geography’s influence on political and military strategy—with cross-verification (comparison) of multiple and diverse sources. The main aim is to accurately determine the location, dynamics, and, importantly, the strategic logic underpinning an international event. This report illustrates its practical application in a case of investigative journalism: the geolocation of a U.S. military strike against drug traffickers along the La Guajira coast, between Colombia and Venezuela, in late 2025.
The method: From theory to practice
The process is not linear but integrative and is organized into five interconnected steps:
1. Identification of the Point of Interest: Start with an event reported that has a clear spatial and strategic dimension.
2. Multi-source Collection: Gather information from disparate origins (primary, secondary, open, and reserved sources).
3. Triangulation and Cross-checking: Compare the sources to discern veracity, identify biases, and find solid coincidences.
4. Historical-Geostrategic Analysis: Interpret the data in light of historical patterns and the logic of power in the space.
5. Integration and Conclusion: Synthesize everything into a geolocated and strategically founded evaluation.
Application to the case: The attack on the Colombia-Venezuela border
Step 1 and 2: The event and primary sources
The starting point was the announcement of the seizure of nearly 4,000 kilos of cocaine last September, related to the capture of three individuals.
Following the interception, which took place in Falcón state, the penal investigation body established that this shipment had been dispatched from the Puerto López area in Colombian territory.
This geographic location allowed for comparison with other drug interdiction events and understanding why these activities developed in this mentioned area.
It’s important to note that in this analysis, none of the explosions reported by outlets like The New York Times and NBC were included.
As for the physical evidence of the event reported by NYT, verified on-site days later, it included a burned vessel, human remains, and barrels with drug traces near Puerto López, Colombia. This layer of data was promptly triangulated with open-source intelligence (OSINT) and press reports confirming a U.S. interdiction campaign in the Caribbean.
Step 3 and 4: Critical checking and expanded historical layer
This is where the analysis transcends mere description. The physical evidence pointed to a location, but the geostrategic question was: why that exact point? The answer emerges by integrating a long-term historical pattern with recent operational events that confirm it.
The long-term historical pattern shows that the area between Puerto López (Colombia) and Poshoure (Venezuela) has been a smuggling hub since colonial times, with documented military operations. Pertinently, it’s worth mentioning one conducted in 1954 by the Colombian Navy ship Almirante Padilla in Puerto López, considered the “first free port” of Colombia due to its diverse and abundant smuggling activities.
However, geostrategic comparison demands updating this pattern with contemporary data to show it is not a relic of the past, but an operational reality:
· November 2022: The capture in Poshoure of Levi López Batis’ brother and three associates, with the seizure of hidden fiber boats in mangroves, demonstrated the continuity of logistical networks and physical infrastructure in the area.
· February 2025: The seizure of 108 kilos of cocaine and two boats in Poshoure confirmed that the hub remained active just nine months prior to the attack.
· September 2025: The interception of 3,680 kg of cocaine in Falcón, which was tracked via GPS to its point of departure in Puerto López, provided the most recent and significant evidence. This event linked a supposed DEA agent to the network, adding a complex geopolitical layer to the pattern.
Integrating these recent events transforms the “historical pattern” into a “current operational diagnosis.” It’s not just about the area being significant in 1954; according to the verified data, it was a critical and active point in 2025. This aligns with the strategic logic: the attack aimed to disrupt a logistical flow confirmed by updated intelligence.
Step 5: Integrated geostrategic conclusion
The final verification came with the official statement from the U.S. president in late December 2025, describing the attack on “the dock area where boats load drugs” in Venezuela. This element integrated and validated the entire verification chain. Although it is not a formal port area, the precarious facilities served the trafficking purpose.
The outcome was a precise and strategically founded geolocation: the attack occurred in the coastal strip bordering the Gulf of Venezuela between Puerto López (Colombia) and Poshoure (Venezuela).