Dissident FARC Guerrillas Repeatedly Try to Assassinate Colombia Governor
The governor of Colombia's central department of Meta has survived two back-to-back assassination attempts, a rare case of a continued targeted assault against a senior public official by Colombian guerrillas.
Modifying Planes to Carry Drugs - Another Criminal Speciality in Colombia
A gang, which modified aircraft to be able to carry cocaine from Colombia to the United States and Mexico, has provided another example of how specific aspects of the drug…
The Urabeños' Venezuela Gamble May Be Failing
The Urabeños, one of Colombia's dominant drug groups, are seemingly ramping up operations along the Colombia-Venezuela border – a gambit likely to foment more violence in an already dangerous region.
New Guerrilla Boss, Same as Old Guerrilla Boss in Colombia
The death of a top guerrilla commander in southern Colombia has unveiled an all-too-familiar situation: the leaders of criminal groups may be replaced, but this rarely leads to any meaningful…
Urabeños vs. Pachenca - The Fight for Colombia's Port of Santa Marta
Colombia's northern city of Santa Marta has seen a shocking rise in murders this year as smaller gangs are getting recruited into a larger drug feud.
Million-Dollar Seizure of Shark Fins Leads to Lenient Fine in Ecuador
The alleged exporter of a shipment of 26 tons of illegal shark fins from Ecuador to Hong Kong has received a fine of a few thousand dollars, showing how people…
FARC Dissidents Want Old Land Back in Colombia's Caquetá and Meta
Once belonging to the demobilized FARC, certain criminal groups seek to reconquer surrendered assets, driving a wave of violence in southern and central Colombia.
Invisible Drug Kingpin 'Don Lucho' Assassinated in Colombia
One of Colombia's foremost drug traffickers and money launderers has been assassinated in Bogotá, leaving important unanswered questions about his own criminal past and who might have been after him.
Number of People Fleeing Their Homes Has Doubled in Colombia
The pandemic has done nothing to reduce clashes between criminal actors in Colombia, with a rise in violence in early 2021 causing the number of people fleeing their homes to…
What Will Gabino's Departure Mean for the ELN?
The retirement of the ELN's top commander and political leader may have sweeping implications for the guerrilla group as it seeks to maintain its favorable position in both Colombia and…
Protests Shatter Already Fragile Image of Colombia’s Security Forces
Colombia’s current political crisis has led to severe clashes between police and protesters in many of the country’s largest cities. But the actions carried out by security forces could have…
The Impressive Tunnelling Skills of Mexico's Gas Thieves
After the discovery of several elaborate tunnels used to siphon fuel to two hidden warehouses, it's clear that Mexico's gas theft rings have found success by going underground.
About InSight Crime
Apure Investigation Makes Headlines
InSight Crime’s investigation into the battle for the Venezuelan border state of Apure resonated in both Colombian and Venezuelan media. A dozen outlets picked up the report, including Venezuela’s…
InSight Crime Tackles Illegal Fishing
In October, InSight Crime and American University’s Center for Latin American and Latino Studies (CLALS) began a year-long project on illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing in…
InSight Crime Featured in Handbook for Reporting on Organized Crime
In late September, the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) published an excerpt of its forthcoming guide on reporting organized crime in Indonesia.
Probing Organized Crime in Haiti
InSight Crime has made it a priority to investigate organized crime in Haiti, where an impotent state is reeling after the July assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, coupled with an…
Emergency First Aid in Hostile Environments
At InSight Crime's annual treat, we ramped up hostile environment and emergency first aid training for our 40-member staff, many of whom conduct on-the-ground investigations in dangerous corners of the region.
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