Mike LaSusa

Can Brazil’s Bolsonaro Deliver on Crime, Corruption Promises?

BRAZIL / 29 OCT 2018

Brazil's presidential election resulted in the victory of far-right populist Jair Bolsonaro, who has promised to crush rampant crime and corruption with an iron fist. But the president-elect may find…

Crime and Security High on Voters' Agendas in Brazil Election

BRAZIL / 1 OCT 2018

Brazil is just days away from the first round of this year's general election, and rising crime and security will play an important role in shaping the outcome of the…

US 'Call to Action' on Drugs Shows Slipping Global Leadership Role

DRUG POLICY / 25 SEP 2018

The United States put out a "Global Call to Action on the World Drug Problem" ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting, but several countries, including some prominent…

Can Governments Deter Violence Committed by Crime Groups?

BRAZIL / 18 SEP 2018

For decades, governments throughout Latin America have responded to violent criminal groups with militarized campaigns aimed -- in many cases futilely -- at dismantling or destroying them. These crackdowns often…

FARC Dissident Leader's Death Could Shake Up Colombia's Pacific Coast

COLOMBIA / 11 SEP 2018

Security forces in Colombia killed a high-level leader of a criminal group descended from recently demobilized leftist guerrillas, potentially paving the way for an outbreak of conflict along the Pacific…

How Brazil's Presidential Candidates Would Tackle Deepening Insecurity

BRAZIL / 30 AUG 2018

With crime and violence on the rise across Brazil, security has become a major theme in the run-up to the October presidential election. Do any of the candidates have a…

Massive Mexico Methamphetamine Seizure Reflects Market Shifts

METHAMPHETAMINE / 21 AUG 2018

Authorities in Mexico have made what is almost certainly the largest seizure of methamphetamine in the country's history, suggesting growing US demand has encouraged Mexican crime groups to increase production…

El Salvador Congress Makes 'Extraordinary' Prison Measures Permanent

EL SALVADOR / 20 AUG 2018

El Salvador's Congress passed a bill that makes permanent a previously temporary tightening of security measures in prisons, cementing a policy that has been criticized as ineffective and harmful to…

Are Mexico Crime Groups Fueling Rise in US Overdose Deaths?

DRUG POLICY / 16 AUG 2018

New data shows synthetic opioid drugs are driving a sustained increase in overdose deaths in the United States, and booming seizures of these drugs by US and Mexican authorities indicate…

US-Mexico 'Action Plan' Thinks Big, but Impact May Be Small

MEXICO / 16 AUG 2018

The United States and Mexico have announced plans for renewed cooperation on combating Mexico-based drug trafficking groups. But although the proposed strategy sounds promising on paper, it may be difficult…

Peru's Judicial Corruption Scandal, Explained

ELITES AND CRIME / 9 AUG 2018

Peru's entire judicial apparatus is in chaos following the leak of audio recordings that appear to show powerful officials engaged in various influence peddling and corruption schemes.

In Honduras, a Congressman's Threats Scream of Desperation

ELITES AND CRIME / 8 AUG 2018

A congressman in Honduras has blamed a prominent Honduran NGO for the decision by members of the US Congress to request an investigation of his alleged ties to drug traffickers,…

About InSight Crime

THE ORGANIZATION

Venezuela Coverage Continues to be Highlighted

3 MAR 2023

This week, InSight Crime co-director Jeremy McDermott was the featured guest on the Americas Quarterly podcast, where he provided an expert overview of the changing dynamics…

THE ORGANIZATION

Venezuela's Organized Crime Top 10 Attracts Attention

24 FEB 2023

Last week, InSight Crime published its ranking of Venezuela’s ten organized crime groups to accompany the launch of the Venezuela Organized Crime Observatory. Read…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime on El País Podcast

10 FEB 2023

This week, InSight Crime co-founder, Jeremy McDermott, was among experts featured in an El País podcast on the progress of Colombia’s nascent peace process.

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime Interviewed by Associated Press

3 FEB 2023

This week, InSight Crime’s Co-director Jeremy McDermott was interviewed by the Associated Press on developments in Haiti as the country continues its prolonged collapse. McDermott’s words were republished around the world,…

THE ORGANIZATION

Escaping Barrio 18

27 JAN 2023

Last week, InSight Crime published an investigation charting the story of Desafío, a 28-year-old Barrio 18 gang member who is desperate to escape gang life. But there’s one problem: he’s…