Buenaventura’s Everlasting Cycle of Violence Continues in Colombia
Residents of Buenaventura, a port city in western Colombia, have bveen caught in a crossfire between two warring criminal structures. But doubts remain as to whether this wave of violence…
The Little-Known Bolivia-Asia Drug Route
The seizure of a cocaine-laced package, bound for Thailand, at an airport in Bolivia, shines light on the little-known drug trafficking route to south and southeastern Asia that relies on…
MS13 Infiltrates Local Government in El Salvador Once Again
A recent police raid in the eastern part of El Salvador, in which a mayor and several municipal and judicial officials were arrested, is the most recent example of an…
Charges Point to El Salvador Police Chief’s History of Obstructing Justice
As El Salvador battles widespread allegations of fraud during the coronavirus pandemic, its most senior police official is now accused of helping to cover up government corruption.
Using Open Source Data to Combat Corruption in Paraguay
A digital platform in Paraguay is seeking to improve the detection of cases of corruption and embezzlement in a country with a poor track record in addressing this issue.
The Endless War to Control Northwest Colombia’s Drug Routes
The killing of an Indigenous leader in Bahia Solano, on Colombia’s Pacific Coast, adds to mounting violence that has fueled the displacement of hundreds, as the Urabeños drug gang…
El Salvador Overspent on Hotels Used for Coronavirus Quarantine
Hotels seized from accused Salvadoran drug kingpin Chepe Diablo were awarded lucrative government contracts to serve as quarantine centers, according to an audit of pandemic spending by El Salvador's Court of…
Record Drug Seizure Caps Off Difficult Year for Chile
A record drug bust by Chilean armed forces showed that growing public concern about increased drug trafficking in the country is more than justified.
Submarines for Rent – The Best Option for Traffickers in Colombia
In November, the Attorney General’s Office, the Colombian Navy and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested 11 alleged members of an organization specialized in the manufacturing of submarines and…
Guatemala Police Case Stirs Up Dark Memories
Authorities in Guatemala have arrested seven individuals, among them four police officers, accused of belonging to a criminal organization dedicated to arms trafficking, theft and large scale drug trafficking.
Mexico Lacks Will, Means to Prevent Child Recruitment: Interview
Between 35,000 and 45,000 boys, girls and teenagers are apprehended and exploited by criminal groups in Mexico, according to Saskia Niño de Rivera, the director of Reinserta, a foundation that…
Contentious Guatemala Budget Sees Frustrations Boil Over
Protestors flooded the streets of Guatemala after the congress approved a budget for 2021 that, reduced funds for the judicial branch by half, while increasing funding for offices accused of…