Jailhouse Murders of Colombians Harden Political Rhetoric in Ecuador
The murder of six Colombians and one Ecuadorian suspected of involvement in the high-profile assassination of an Ecuadorian presidential candidate…
Social Leaders in Cauca, Colombia Face Down Threats From Crime Groups
The number of leaders murdered in Cauca, Colombia shows that their work is an obstacle for armed groups seeking to…
New Money, Old Strategies in Brazil’s Anti-Crime Plan
Brazil has announced a new national security program to counter organized crime amid a spike in violence. But the nearly…
Chile Ups Efforts Against ‘Narco’ Mausoleums and Funerals
The Chilean government has opened up a new front in the fight against drug trafficking, incorporating social and cultural approaches…
What Does Capture of ‘Yiyi’ Mean for Other Venezuelan Crime Bosses Abroad?
The capture of Venezuelan crime boss, alias “Yiyi,” in Argentina, is the latest on the growing list of Venezuelan kingpins…
3 Factors That Make Ecuador a Money Laundering Hub
Money laundering is the second-most prevalent criminal economy in Ecuador, according to a new study. Yet efforts to counter the…
Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua Loses its Home
Tren de Aragua, Venezuela’s most powerful home-grown criminal syndicate has just lost its home base, while its leadership is in…
Tren de Aragua’s Criminal Portfolio: Adapt or Die
“PEOPLE ARE NOT MERCHANDISE,” reads a billboard at the main boarding crossing from Colombia to Ecuador. Yet that is exactly…
Three Stages in the Construction of the Tren de Aragua’s Transnational Empire
“Tour operators” offering trips to Bogotá, Medellín, and even as far afield as Ecuador and Peru, swarm anyone stepping off…
UN-Backed Haiti Force Unlikely to Root Out Gangs
The United Nations Security Council gave the green light for deploying a multinational armed force to Haiti, but questions linger…