El Makabelico and the Narco-Rap Soundtrack of Mexico’s Northeast Cartel
“I’m a drug trafficker from the Northeast, my cartel,” raps El Makabelico. “With my AK-47 slung across my chest, I…
Influencers and Organized Crime: Identifying Patterns in Their Relationship
Social media influencers are playing an increasingly important role in organized crime. The kidnapping of social media star Nicole Pardo…
‘I’m Just a Regular Girl’: The ‘Narco’ Influencer Who Survived a Kidnapping
When a white sedan pulled up alongside her Tesla Cybertruck on the side of a road in Culiacán, Sinaloa, social…
Brazil’s ‘Anti-Oruam’ Bill Won’t Stop Crime Crooners
A new anti-crime bill in Brazil targets the son of a jailed Red Command gang leader who is using his…
Crime and Religion in Brazil: The Expansion of Rio’s Pure Third Command
In a powerful illustration of how religion mixes with crime, Brazilian police scaled a water tank in a Rio de…
The 5 Most-Read Criminal Actor Profiles in 2024
This year, several criminal actors stood out for their staying power or ability to adapt in the face of an…
Santa Muerte Worship Continues Spreading Beyond Mexico
The discovery in El Salvador of a shrine to Santa Muerte, a female deity associated with the criminal underworld, has…
How Venezuela’s Prison System Fueled a Reggaeton Star’s Career
The Venezuelan singer “Rsiete” is a mysterious figure. A full view of his face is nowhere to be found on…
What Netflix’s ‘Griselda’ Gets Wrong About Women in Organized Crime
Netflix recently released its eponymous Griselda Blanco biopic, starring Sofía Vergara, which follows the drug trafficker’s journey from Medellín to…
Does Music Drive Crime in Trinidad and Tobago?
Recent criminal cases involving artists of the “Trinibad” music genre have highlighted the links between the music industry and crime…