THE STATE OF AMAZONAS AS A STRATEGIC CORRIDOR FOR INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING: OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES AND INTERAGENCY STRATEGIES OF THE AMAZONAS MILITARY POLICE IN CONFRONTING CRIMINAL FACTIONS

Abstract

The consolidation of the state of Amazonas as a strategic corridor for international drug trafficking stems from the combination of its extensive border area, complex river logistics, and low state control capacity in peripheral regions of the Legal Amazon. Within this context, Amazonas articulates routes connecting the main cocaine-producing countries of the Andean region to Brazilian, European, and African consumer markets, increasing the geopolitical relevance of the territory for criminal organizations. This article aims to analyze Amazonas as a strategic corridor for international drug trafficking and examine the operational challenges faced by the Amazonas Military Police (PMAM) in confronting transnational criminal networks, as well as the interagency strategies adopted to expand the state's response capacity. Methodologically, this is a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory research, based on a literature review and documentary analysis of scientific articles, official reports, legislation, and public security yearbooks. The results indicate that the expansion of drug trafficking exacerbates socioeconomic inequalities, deepens the vulnerability of riverside and peripheral communities, and is linked to other crimes such as illegal mining and deforestation. They also show that the performance of the Amazonas Military Police (PMAM) is limited by constraints in personnel, infrastructure, and logistics, requiring continued investment in police intelligence, technology, and interagency cooperation, such as the Arpão Bases. It is concluded that, although integration strategies between public security and national defense agencies have produced significant results in increasing seizures and disrupting trafficking routes, structural challenges remain that demand long-term policies combining repressive actions, social prevention, and socio-environmental protection