Demystifying: State presence in relation to the increase of drug trafficking in Paraguay.

Abstract

In recent years, the number of events related to drug trafficking in Paraguay has increased, which represents a potentially serious scenario, primarily due to the operations of transnational criminal groups and the generalized increase in daily violence. Faced with this unfortunate situation, a series of discourses argues that the growth of the phenomenon is due to the absence of the State and its respective agents. Nevertheless, it is important to ask the question: can only the State and its presence, or absence, be attributed as the sole and main factor in the growth of organized crime and the illegal drug market in Paraguay? In this regard, it was proposed to discuss this line of explanation by means of empirical data showing state actions in the so called red territories: the Departments of Amambay, Canindeyú and Concepción. In order to achieve the proposed objective, a documentary type of research was carried out, with a descriptive scope, documentary analysis was used as the data collection technique, and the instrument used was the content card. In this sense, it can be affirmed that drug trafficking has become more complex in these areas despite the fact that there has been observable state action through: a) the National Police, b) SENAD agents, c) specialized fiscal units. The article sought to demystify an accepted idea, ultimately promoting and inviting other reasoning that would provide a better basis for what has happened with regard to drug trafficking and its expansion in Paraguay.