Can Brazil’s Bolsonaro Deliver on Crime, Corruption Promises?
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 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
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?
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
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
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
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'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?
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
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
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
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
Venezuela Coverage Continues to be Highlighted
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…
Venezuela's Organized Crime Top 10 Attracts Attention
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…
InSight Crime on El País Podcast
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.
InSight Crime Interviewed by Associated Press
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,…
Escaping Barrio 18
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…
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