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Drug trafficking and corruption, American Colonel: Belinda Balluku's game with the new port compromises security!

2025-03-29 14:15:20Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Drug trafficking and corruption, American Colonel: Belinda Balluku's game
Belinda Balluku

During his second term, President Donald Trump focuses on American security and countering China's global influence.

At the center of this agenda is the Panama Canal, which the US president has vowed to "take back" from Panama, citing Chinese ownership of several port operations as evidence that China is now controlling the canal.

In a significant move, US asset management giant BlackRock has agreed to buy two ports on either side of the Panama Canal from a Hong Kong-based company, CK Hutchison Holdings.

However, the problem of port management marked by Chinese interference and smuggling by Latin American interests extends beyond Panama and also affects Europe.

To take control of its own security and align itself with President Trump, Europe urgently needs to establish full control over its ports.

CK Hutchison Holdings in Europe and security concerns

This Chinese company has a wide presence in Europe, owning ports in Spain, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

While China's interest in Europe's "front doors" has caused concerns in the European Parliament, the situation remains difficult to control.

European ports are not only part of critical infrastructure, but also pose a direct security risk.

Over the last decade, the use of containers for drug trafficking from Latin America to Europe has increased significantly.

Europol is constantly confronting criminal organizations that smuggle large quantities of cocaine through ports such as Hamburg (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium) and Rotterdam (Netherlands).

Last year alone, Europol seized 35 tons of cocaine at these ports, originating in Ecuador, and departing from Colombia, Ecuador, Suriname, Guyana and Paraguay.

Drug trafficking, corruption and the Balkans in the spotlight

Drug trafficking is often associated with corruption of officials and staff working at ports, as well as at higher government levels.

In addition to Western Europe, the Balkans are also under threat. An interesting case is presented by the multi-billion dollar Port of Durres project in Albania.

Initially, the contract with the company EMS Shipping Trading GMBH from Germany aimed to manage a terminal at the port, turning it into a key economic center for Albania.

But the Albanian government unilaterally canceled the agreement, to pave the way for a new tourism project.

After that, EMS took the case to a US court, but in July 2024, it suddenly withdrew the lawsuit and sold the concession for 13 million euros to the Croatian company “Schaphad doo”.

While the transaction seemed routine, further investigation into the Croatian company revealed suspicious connections to figures with disputed businesses in Ecuador and Colombia, according to former Albanian Justice Minister Gazment Bardhi.

Political accusations and the Porto Romano scheme

In a series of posts on the X network, Bardhi highlighted the stark contrast between the US regaining control of strategic ports and Albania becoming involved in corruption scandals. 

According to him, Schaphad doo is an intermediary entity that masks Croatian and Albanian interests, with the aim of taking full control of the new port to be built in Porto Romano.

The involvement of this company occurred following the instruction of the Minister of Infrastructure Belinda Balluku, who asked the former director of the Port of Durres, Pirro Vengu, to contact the MAERSK company, an international giant in maritime transport.

According to the Albanian opposition, through the support of MAERSK regional managers and with Schaphad as a front company, an Albanian oligarch is trying to secure exclusive operating rights for the next 45 years in Porto Romano.

Although the tender has not yet been officially announced, it is suspected to be a manipulated and predetermined process.

The danger from Ecuador and Colombia

In addition to high-level corruption and a lack of serious security checks, Schaphad's owners' ties to Ecuador and Colombia further add to the suspicions.

Former Minister Bardhi warns that these countries known for drug trafficking towards Europe may increasingly be used as new routes for drug trafficking towards Albania, thus threatening the security of the entire Balkans.

Conclusion: The European Union and the US must act

To ensure that Europe remains a sovereign and secure region, free from external interference, European countries must prioritize transparency and accountability in port operations.

The United States, under President Trump and his new focus on strategic infrastructure, has set a clear example by pushing for more control and oversight of ports.

For Europe, and especially for the Balkans, aligning with this vision is not simply an economic issue, but a matter of national and regional security. Threats from drug trafficking, organized crime, and foreign interference will escalate in the absence of immediate and decisive action.

The Balkans is a strategic European region that could benefit greatly from European integration and American investments, things that would be impossible if the countries of the region did not align with President Trump's agenda.

Colonel Wes Martin, a retired U.S. Army colonel, has served in security positions around the world and has an MBA in International Politics and Business./ Hashtag


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