El papel de Libia como centro consolidado de economías ilícitas y su impacto en el fenómeno terrorista del Sahel

Abstract

Due to its vast oil resources, ongoing political instability, and lack of government control, Libya has become a hub for the consolidation of illicit economies and the rise of violent movements. Criminal groups and militias operate with relative impunity, engaging in activities such as smuggling oil and oil products, human trafficking, drugs, and arms, generating significant revenues that have often been used to finance the activities of rival armed groups and factions operating in the region. In addition, the power vacuum created since the fall of the Libyan regime has exacerbated new security challenges in southern Libya, with the emergence of extremist groups on the post-revolutionary scene that have come to control large territories, resources, and populations.

Libya's security challenges and destabilization are of great concern, especially for the North African and Sahel regions. Defining the current political order in Libya, this article aims to expose the dynamics of the illicit economy in the country and its ramifications for ongoing conflicts in the regional neighborhood.