This year saw critical changes within some of the most notorious criminal organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean, reflecting their resilience and vulnerabilities.
The region’s most powerful criminal groups continue to threaten public security. From internal disputes that unleashed waves of violence to intensified repression by authorities, these groups adapt and evolve year after year, often exacerbating instability and fueling cycles of violence.
Here are InSight Crime’s five most-read profiles of groups that have shaped the underworld over the past year.
1. The Sinaloa Cartel: A Rift Between the Chapitos and El Mayo
The Sinaloa Cartel experienced one of its most dramatic years yet with the outbreak of tensions between El Mayo Zambada‘s faction and that of the Chapitos. Following the capture of El Mayo in an alleged kidnapping by one of the Chapitos, clashes between the “Chapiza” and the “Mayiza” factions of the cartel escalated, probably driven by a settling of scores. This internal rift highlighted a critical juncture for the group that raises questions about the future of one of the most important drug trafficking and organized crime networks in the region.
SEE ALSO:A Cold War Is Raging Inside the Sinaloa Cartel Following El Mayo’s Capture
2. Tren de Aragua: A Spreading Infamy Amid a Leadership Fracture
Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, a gang that Donald Trump constantly mentioned during his presidential campaign this year, expanded its regional reach. However, many alleged members have been identified only by their Venezuelan nationality, and the frequency of imposters makes it difficult to distinguish actual members from pretenders. A series of blows, including high-profile arrests of its leaders, highlighted vulnerabilities within the gang. As authorities in several countries tighten controls to contain the organization’s growth, it remains to be seen whether Tren de Aragua can maintain its transnational influence.
3. ELN: Cracks in the Facade During Peace Talks
The National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional – ELN), Colombia’s largest guerrilla group, faced turmoil this year when peace talks with the government broke down. An internal split weakened the group’s unity, even as it sought to project itself as a united force. These divisions could complicate future negotiations and fuel localized violence in its zones of influence. Now that the bilateral ceasefire between the ELN and the government is no longer in effect, 2025 may see a spike in clashes between security forces and the guerrilla group, increasing the risk of civilians being caught in the crossfire. However, despite the setbacks in the peace talks, the ELN and the government have agreed to meet again in 2025 to assess the future of the negotiations, offering a hopeful conclusion to a year marked by rising tensions and faltering progress.
SEE ALSO:Two Years On, Colombia’s ‘Total Peace’ Brings More Conflict
4. MS13: A Declining Force Under Bukele’s Iron Fist
El Salvador’s MS13 suffered continuous setbacks under President Nayib Bukele’s state of emergency. Mass arrests and unprecedented crackdowns reduced the gang’s visibility and operational capacity. While critics warn of human rights abuses and the long-term risks of mano dura tactics by the government, the reduction in the MS13’s presence is undeniable, making it one of the most intriguing profiles of the year due to our in-depth analysis of this apparent security miracle.
SEE ALSO:Why Do Latin American Governments Keep Betting on States of Emergency?
5. CJNG: US Pressure Increases on Mexico’s Most Violent Group
The Jalisco Cartel New Generation (Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación – CJNG) faced increasing pressure from US authorities this year, cementing its status as a priority target in the drug war. Washington increased sanctions, announced new extraditions, and raised the reward for information leading to the capture of leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” to $15 million. These measures have highlighted the CJNG’s role as one of the most violent and influential groups in Mexico, even as its leadership remains elusive.