Venezuelan Extortion Gangs Spark Violent Backlash in Peru
A Venezuelan gang has sunk deep criminal roots into Peru’s capital, Lima, with widespread extortion that has provoked violent protests…
Venezuela Security Policy: Combating Gang and Police-Driven Extortion
Extortion pervades nearly all levels of Venezuelan society, sowing greater fear as it becomes more violent. The repercussions of not…
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…
Tren de Aragua Brand Spurs Criminal Imposters Outside Venezuela
A string of arrests across the Andes has targeted extortionists posing as members of the Tren de Aragua, showing how…
Venezuelan Extortion Gangs Exploiting Instagram to Amplify Threats
Venezuelan extortion gangs are increasingly moving beyond issuing direct threats, instead broadcasting wide-reaching acts of intimidation to residents via social…
The Shattered Mafia Behind Criminal Chaos in Zulia, Venezuela
Listen to this article This audio was generated using text-to-speech software Over Carnival weekend, as families crowded into Maracaibo’s small,…
Latin America’s Criminal Bankers: Explaining Colombians’ Monopoly on Gota-a-Gota
Three cases in recent weeks highlight how Colombian groups continue to dominate gota-a-gota loansharking schemes across Central and South America,…
Fraud Groups Use Deepfakes to Enhance Imitation Scams in Peru
Fraudsters are targeting Peruvians using deepfake voice imitation, showing how criminal actors are using artificial intelligence to carry out sophisticated…
Hybrid Governance and the Criminal Fiefdoms of Tren de Aragua
There are specific expectations for residents of San Vicente, a neighborhood in Venezuela’s central state of Aragua. Men are not…
Honduras Makes Few Advances Against Crime During 6-Month State of Exception
The state of exception in Honduras has now been in place for six months. But contrary to government claims and…