Maritime Security in the Atlantic

Policy Brief

The Atlantic Basin concentrates some of the main routes for drug trafficking in the world. The availability of drugs and arms is very significant in the Americas, but drug cartels are also developing illegal activities in some West African countries with fragile institutions. Additionally, the Gulf of Guinea is emerging as the hotspot of pirate attacks in the Atlantic. Trafficking in arms, drugs, people and money are common challenges in the Atlantic Space that present important risks but also an opportunity to increased international cooperation across the Basin.