In the Amazon of Brazil, Itaituba, on the banks of the Tapajós River, has become the main illegal gold laundering center in this country.

There are groups linked to one of Brazil's largest criminal groups —the Red Command— operating in the new hotspots of illegal mining in the Amazon.

In Colombia, 80% of exported gold is illegal. Part of it comes from protected areas in Guainía, on the border with Venezuela and Brazil.

The international price of gold continues to break historical records.

In Ecuador, illegal gold mining has expanded in recent years to the Amazonian province of Napo, where the legal and the illegal mix.

Gold production figures in Bolivia have not matched the amount of gold finally exported. Meanwhile, dredges continue to take over Amazon rivers.