Caparrapos Thriving in Colombia Due to Alliances With ELN, Ex-FARC Mafia
Having become one of the more visible criminal actors in Colombia due to their war with the Urabeños, the Caparrapos have been heavily targeted by authorities in 2019 so far.
Argentina's Castedo Clan Continues to Survive Despite Top Arrests
Authorities in Bolivia have arrested a major player in the Castedo Clan, one of the most powerful drug trafficking clans in northern Argentina, but it is unlikely this will cripple…
Hezbollah’s Backing of Maduro May Shine Light on Links With Venezuela
Hezbollah's explicit support for Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro could be the first step in confirming links between the South American nation’s government, the controversial organization and organized crime…
Growing Extortion Spurs Wave of Deadly Bus Attacks in Guatemala
Though violence has decreased in Guatemala, recent deadly attacks against buses show that public transport remains under siege by gangs, which have increased their extortion demands as smaller groups get…
Human Trafficking Conviction Rates on the Rise in Latin America
Although human trafficking continues to surge on the continent, improved legislation and the investment in social platforms are leading to higher human trafficking conviction rates in parts of Latin America.
Ecuador Warned of Potential Cross-Border Attack by ELN
Ecuadorean security forces are on high alert after receiving reports Colombia’s ELN guerrillas are planning a cross-border attack, highlighting what has until now been a major blind spot in Ecuador’s…
Colombia Cocaine Boom Likely Behind Rising European Port Seizures
Cocaine seizures at two of Europe’s biggest and busiest ports jumped by more than a quarter over the last year, underscoring the impact that the increase in global cocaine production…
ELN Car Bomb in Bogotá Takes Fight to Colombia's Cities
By claiming responsibility for the car bomb attack that took place on January 17 in Bogotá, the ELN guerrilla group not only ensured the end of the peace talks with…
Criminal GameChangers 2018: The Full Report
With InSight Crime’s Criminal GameChangers 2018, we highlighted the most important trends in organized crime in the Americas over the course of last year. From a rise in illicit drug…
Political Mafias Helped Empower Gangs, says El Salvador Security Expert
The homicide rate in El Salvador has spiked after authorities in the Central American nation saw a substantial reduction in homicides in 2018, raising important questions about the role of…
Venezuela Soldiers Mutiny, Lambast Corrupt Military Leadership
An uprising of soldiers against the government of Nicolás Maduro has raised questions about corruption inside the armed forces and links between the military’s top commanders and organized crime.
Cartels Reopen Old Migrant Routes Through Arizona, New Mexico
Border Patrol agents have found several large Central American migrant groups crossing the US-Mexico border along remote stretches of desert -- a smuggling tactic that requires the buy-in of larger…
About InSight Crime
Unraveling the Web of Elites Connected to Organized Crime
InSight Crime published Elites and Organized Crime in Nicaragua, a deep dive into the relationships between criminal actors and elites in that Central American nation.
InSight Crime’s Greater Focus on US-Mexico Border
InSight Crime has decided to turn many of its investigative resources towards understanding and chronicling the criminal dynamics along the US-Mexico border.
Key Arrests and Police Budget Increases Due to InSight Crime Investigations
With Memo Fantasma’s arrest, InSight Crime has proven that our investigations can and will uncover major criminal threats in the Americas.
Organized Crime’s Influence on Gender-Based Violence
InSight Crime investigator Laura N. Ávila spoke on organized crime and gender-based violence at the launch of a research project by the United Nations Development Programme.
Conversation with Paraguay Judicial Operators on PCC
InSight Crime Co-director Steven Dudley formed part of a panel attended by over 500 students, all of whom work in Paraguay's judicial system.
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