A human rights commission has called for tighter oversight of technologies used by criminal organisations in Latin America, warning that satellite internet, drones and online platforms are facilitating illegal mining and other activities that threaten forests and remote communities.
The call was made Tuesday by the Office of the Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights, known as REDESCA, which operates under the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
The move reflects growing concerns over how criminal networks are using technology to coordinate operations, monitor territories and extend their activities into remote areas.
REDESCA urged governments to strengthen controls on the transfer and use of these technologies and called on companies to assess whether their products and services could be misused by criminal groups.
The statement came as a United Nations conference on transnational organised crime was underway in Vienna, where governments are considering launching negotiations on an agreement to combat environmental crimes, including illegal mining, logging and wildlife trafficking.
More than a dozen Indigenous representatives from Amazonian countries are attending the Oct 19-23 gathering, calling for stronger international action against criminal networks threatening their forests and communities.
REDESCA said satellite internet services, including Elon Musk's Starlink, have been used in illegal mining operations to coordinate logistics, payments and movements in remote areas lacking conventional communications infrastructure.
Drones are also being deployed by armed groups and criminal organisations for surveillance and territorial control in areas associated with illicit economic activities, the office said.
The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, which monitors political violence worldwide, recorded around 670 incidents involving weaponised drones across Latin America since 2018, according to an August report by the organisation.
More than 72% of the incidents occurred between January 2025 and August 2026.
The figures indicate the growing use of armed drones across the region but are not limited to environmental crimes.
REDESCA also drew attention to the use of social media to advertise mercury, a toxic metal used in illegal gold mining that can contaminate waterways and accumulate in fish consumed by local communities.
Public prosecutors documented 108 TikTok posts promoting mercury for illegal gold mining, which collectively received more than 5.8 million views, according to REDESCA.
The office did not identify the country or investigation involved when responding to questions from The Associated Press.
REDESCA said publicly documented cases also included drones flying over Indigenous communities amid disputes related to illegal logging, as well as the use of weaponised drones to intimidate Indigenous civilians.
However, it cautioned that the available evidence does not always establish a direct link between these incidents and activities related to environmental protection.
Technology also helps communities protect forests
The same technologies exploited by criminal groups can also help Indigenous communities safeguard their territories.
Satellite imagery, GPS mapping and drones can help detect deforestation and illegal mining, enabling communities to gather evidence of incursions while potentially reducing their exposure to armed groups.
REDESCA called on governments to improve oversight of technology transfers and investigate their illicit use. It also urged technology and telecommunications companies to evaluate the risk of their products and services being diverted to criminal organisations.
The office further warned that the development and operation of advanced technologies have environmental consequences, including energy and water consumption, mineral extraction and electronic waste.
It stressed that governments should support community-led environmental monitoring while ensuring that responsibility for protecting territories remains with public authorities.