Rebels in Afghanistan and Colombia are increasingly controlling land where illegal drugs are being grown, according to the United Nations.
From BBC News:
Afghanistan had a record opium harvest last year and coca leaf production in Colombia increased 27%, according to The World Drug Report 2008.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) says most regions where [...]

The United Nations reported on Wednesday that Coca cultivation in Colombia has risen in the past year despite intensive efforts by the Colombian Government and the United States.
From BBC News:
The UN’s office on drugs and crime (UNODC) says the increase is “a surprise and a shock” given Colombia’s efforts to destroy coca crops.
The US has [...]

Guerrilla group FARC is reported to be operating protection rackets on the border with Venezuela as they diversify their revenue generating streams.
From the CS Monitor:
Father Stephen Harney is accustomed to providing solace to his poor Venezuelan parishioners who struggle to survive. But these days its the middle-class and wealthy families forced to pay protection money [...]

The BBC has an analysis on the current differences between Mexico and Colombia’s battles with the illegal drug trade.
From BBC News:
In Mexico, 1,378 drug-related killings have taken place so far this year, a rise of 50% compared with the same period in 2007. Acting chief of police Edgar Millan was among the victims.
In Colombia, authorities [...]

A high-ranking commander of FARC surrendered to government authorities on Sunday, striking a blow to the guerrilla drug trafficking organization.
From the LA Times:
Analysts said the surrender of Nelly Avila Moreno, alias Karina, is a blow to the morale of the FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, in whose ranks she fought for 24 years, [...]

According to the 2006 United Nations World Drug Report, the market value of coca produced in Colombia based on farm-gate prices was $843 million in 2005.
Source: United Nations, “2006 World Drug Report,” Office on Drugs and Crime, June 2006, pg.240.

6,000 to 11,000 children are trafficked within Colombia as child solders and other types of labor activities.
Source:United States Department of State, ” 2006 Trafficking in Persons Report,” Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, June 5, 2006.

According to the United States Department of State, 45,000 to 50,000 people from Colombia are estimated to be involved in prostitution in other countries. A majority of those are believed to have been trafficked.
Source: United States Department of State, ” 2006 Trafficking in Persons Report,” Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, [...]

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) earns between $500 million to $1 billion through its drug activities.
Source: BBC News, “Key Farc role in US cocaine trade,” BBC News, February 12, 2007.