Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on the operational ability of South American drugs gangs.

The impacts of the Covid-19 response are already affecting how criminal networks operate across the globe, although it is too soon for us to understand fully how the picture is changing. We are monitoring the situation closely and our international law enforcement response continues. In the last month alone the NCA has contributed to the seizure of more than 1.7 tonnes of illicit drugs internationally.

It also seems likely that the pandemic and countries' responses to it, while leading to a reduction in some organised criminal activities, will be providing opportunities for new ones. It is too early to judge how long-term the consequences of this might be. The United Kingdom shares the concerns of our Latin American partners regarding ongoing activity by organised groups fighting for control of illicit economies, and the impact of this on peace and security in the region.

Our priority remains working alongside our international partners to resolve the health and economic risks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and to set the stage for a strong and sustainable economic recovery.