Criminal economy of Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia: Structure, intersection points, profitability assessment

The spread of the criminal economy is the biggest problem in the global financial environment. Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia are characterised by a fairly high level of economic crime. In these countries, criminal economic activity flourishes, which reduces the social development of states and spreads unemployment and poverty in their territories. That is why the issue of the criminal economy of Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia and the specifics of the structure, intersection points, and assessment of the level of profitability in these countries is quite relevant. It is in these areas that the problem of developing the criminal economy is poorly regulated and along with criminal activities there is a problem of poverty and the presence of military conflicts. That is why the purpose of this study is to investigate and generalise aspects of the criminal economy of Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia, and to determine the features of its structure, intersection points, and assessment of the level of profitability. Theoretical methods were used during the study – analysis and synthesis. In particular, it was determined that the intersection points of the criminal economies of Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia are focused on the activities of the transnational criminal organisation National Liberation Army. It is established that the main structural elements of the criminal economy in cooperation in these countries are drug trafficking, fuel smuggling, illegal gold mining, prostitution, and human trafficking. The assessment of the level of profitability showed that the countries under study are disadvantageous, which is explained by the presence of a high level of criminal economy. Based on the results of the study, measures were developed and proposed to combat the criminal economy in relation to the intersection points in Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia. It is determined that the main areas for reducing the level of the criminal economy should be measures aimed at combating the transnational criminal group – the National Liberation Army, actions to eliminate businesses for the production and sale of drugs, fuel smuggling, prostitution, and human trafficking in the territory of the considered countries. Thus, the practical significance of the study is that the identified measures to combat the criminal economy can be used in Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia to improve the social situation in these countries and raise the standard of living in these areas