Venezuela, Brazil and Ecuador are the main countries in Latin America where a worrying trend of acts of piracy has started to materialize. In most incidents, pirates armed with guns and knives and even sometimes dressed in military uniform or wearing masks, approach ships in order to demand all of its property. Bandits, by using mostly fishing boats, assault the crew or the passengers and try to steal the vessel's equipment, valuables, cash and personal property. Crew and passengers are gagged, threatened with high calibre weapons, beaten, injured or even killed in an apparent robbery attempt, rendering in this way piracy as an increasing and widely dangerous situation in Latin America.

Pirate's main target are usually yachts and particularly those anchored off the coasts. Specifically, in Venezuela at least four yachts and one ship were attacked by pirates while in Brazil the number of reported attacks has dropped in one robbery the last year. Nevertheless, in both countries boats are advised to continue be vigilant and cautious whilst it becomes essential for the government to take the necessary measures and increase patrols so as to ensure a security level for locals and tourists alike.

As far as Ecuador is concerned, it has become a maritime drug transfer point for traffickers from Mexico and Colombia. Sailors in Ecuador's ports tell stories about the "narcos", pirates who assault ships in the middle of the night and hijack them for drug transport or stole gasoline and provisions. As a result of that, it is strongly recommended that vessels travel in convoys and maintain good communication in all times. In other countries of Latin America, such as Corsica, Columbia or Mexico, piracy is not that common, without implying that important precautions should not be taken in those countries.

In conclusion, today's piracy both in Latin America and worldwide is more that a nuisance and consequently in order to reduce it a wide range of action shall be obtained.