Wealthy Fishermen Ran Major Drug Trafficking Rings in Costa Rica
Drug smuggling fishermen in Costa Rica owned large private properties and luxury vehicles -- riches gained from leading “transportista" groups, which are becoming increasingly common in the Central American nation.
Illegal Cigarettes Increasing Presence in Brazil and Southern Cone
Argentina, Chile and Brazil are struggling with increased demand for smuggled cigarettes, as these provide major revenue for criminal groups and result in massive tax losses for national governments.
Drug Seizures Spike Along Paraguay’s Border With Bolivia
Cocaine seizures along Paraguay’s border with Bolivia have tripled, bolstering fears that this forest hinterland has become a haven for drug smugglers.
Ex-FARC Mafia's 1st Front Close to Controlling Colombia's Putumayo
A powerful FARC dissident front is fortifying its presence in the southwestern department of Putumayo, a former guerrilla stronghold, a region dense with coca crops, and a lynchpin in the…
Colombia-Venezuela Border Reopens, But Hidden Trails Still Hotspots
The reopening of a major Colombia-Venezuela border crossing is an important step to stop Venezuelans from trekking across remote trails where they are easily extorted by armed groups. But it's…
Colombia Flooded with Black Market Cigarettes
US tobacco giant Philip Morris has shut down its two factories in Colombia partly because of illegal cigarette sales, highlighting a spike in contraband cigarettes.
El Salvador Flirts with 'Mano Dura' Security Policies Again
The new administration of El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has already shown that it will adopt hardline measures to combat the MS13 and Barrio 18 street gangs -- measures that…
Deadly Riot Shows Paraguay Prisons Unprepared for PCC Onslaught
Ten inmates in a Paraguay prison were killed by PCC gang members, in a brutal assault that makes clear that the small country’s penitentiary system cannot…
Los Pachenca Leader Killed, Casting Doubt on Colombia Group’s Future
The killing of the principal leader of Colombia’s “Los Pachenca” criminal group, as well as high-level arrests within the group, is generating doubts about the organization’s future.
Venezuela Disease Outbreaks Reveal Criminal Migration to Illegal Gold Mines
Outbreaks of malaria and diphtheria in a region of Venezuela where these diseases are rare has revealed how armed groups are organizing a vast migration to illegal mines.
Illegal Mining Crackdown May Push Peru’s Former Miners to Coca, Timber
Authorities in Peru say they have successfully driven illegal gold mining out of the Amazon, but will other illegal economies take its place?…
Pro-Government Guerrillas Mix Political, Criminal Interests in Venezuela
Pro-government guerrillas in Venezuela have begun training civilians in armed combat, showing the symbiotic relationship between embattled President Nicolás…
About InSight Crime
Venezuela El Dorado Investigation Makes Headlines
InSight Crime's investigation into the trafficking of illegal gold in Venezuela's Amazon region generated impact on both social media and in the press. Besides being republished and mentioned by several…
Gender and Investigative Techniques Focus of Workshops
On November 23-24, InSight Crime conducted a workshop called “How to Cover Organized Crime: Investigation Techniques and A Focus on Gender.” The session convened reporters and investigators from a dozen…
InSight Crime Names Two New Board Members
In recent weeks, InSight Crime added two new members to its board. Joy Olson is the former executive director of the Washington Office on Latin America…
Senate Commission in Paraguay Cites InSight Crime
InSight Crime’s reporting and investigations often reach the desks of diplomats, security officials and politicians. The latest example occurred in late October during a commission of Paraguay's Senate that tackled…
Backing Investigative Journalism Around the Globe
InSight Crime was a proud supporter of this year's Global Investigative Journalism Conference, which took place November 1 through November 5 and convened nearly 2,000 journalists…
Stay Informed with Weekly InSight
Get fresh updates on organized crime from across the region delivered to your inbox.
SUBSCRIBE