Our investigation – the result of eight field visits between November 2024 and July 2025 and more than 70 confidential interviews with indigenous and peasant leaders, environmental defenders, members of armed groups, police officers and authorities – documents:

• Territorial control by armed groups such as the Border Commandos, FARC dissidents, and Ecuadorian gangs such as Los Choneros and Los Lobos;
• Parallel governance that replaces local authorities and imposes rules on the population;
• Environmental destruction caused by illegal mining and mercury contamination;
• Failure of militarized responses and documented cases of corruption and collusion;
• Opportunities for peace and regional cooperation before violence spreads.