Sindicatos Mineros (Guayana)
activegangOrigin: Bolívar and Amazonas states, Venezuela · aka Sindicato, Bolívar mining syndicates, El Toto, El Ciro
Notes
Loose federation of armed groups controlling Venezuela's Arco Minero del Orinoco (Mining Arc) — illegal gold mining in Bolívar and Amazonas. Operate with apparent state tolerance, taxing miners (vacuna) and clashing with ELN incursions seeking the same mines. Linked to widespread mercury contamination and indigenous Pemón displacement. Major source of laundered gold exiting via Curaçao and Dubai.
Primary activities
illegal gold miningextortion of minerskidnappingfuel smuggling