An InSight Crime Article reports that in Venezuela, criminal groups and state forces are colluding in widespread cattle theft, significantly linked to drug trafficking and characterised by corruption and bribery. Criminal organisations, alongside corrupt officials and military personnel, orchestrate cattle theft from ranchers, using bribery and coercion to facilitate these operations. Stolen cattle are often sold to fund drug trafficking activities, with corrupt authorities turning a blind eye or actively participating for financial gain. This illicit network exploits the country's economic instability and legal system weaknesses, creating a lucrative cycle of crime that exacerbates violence and lawlessness in rural areas. The involvement of state forces adds a layer of complexity, undermining trust in government institutions and law enforcement. Addressing this issue requires dismantling the corrupt alliances between criminals and officials, strengthening legal frameworks, and ensuring accountability to combat the intertwined issues of bribery, corruption, and drug-related crime in Venezuela's cattle industry.