Thousands Displaced in Medellin
In Colombia there are reports by El Tiempo that the urban violence in Medellin has displaced at least 1,870 people so far this year. Those are only the official numbers…
'Barbie' Says 'Chapo' to Blame for Violence
In a transcript of the police interrogation with Edgar Valdez Villarreal, alias "La Barbie," he says disputes over control of Juarez led to Mexico's current cartel war.
'Zetas Control Human Trafficking in Hidalgo'
A report in Milenio describes how the Zetas control the human trafficking trade in the central state of Hidalgo, where an estimated 500,000 migrants (mostly Central American) pass each…
Suspected Human Smuggler Arrested in Ecuador
Ecuadorean officials arrested Miguel Dutan Meneses, a suspected member of the network of human smugglers that sent several Ecuadoreans through Mexico on their way to the United States, the Latin American Herald…
New Trade for Traffickers: Cattle Rustling
Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO) like Mexico's La Familia, is entering the cattle rustling business, according to a lengthy article in El Universal. The organizations are using their superior…
Guatemalans Working with Zetas Sentenced
Six Guatemalan former military were sentenced to prison this week in Mexico for working with the Mexican criminal group the Zetas, Prensa Libre says.
Alleged 'Barbie' Associate Facing Charges in Costa Rica
In an illustration of the reach of the Beltrán Leyva Organization, an associate of Edgar Valdez Villareal, alias La Barbie, is facing trial in Costa Rica for drug trafficking, according…
Paying Attention to Central America's Drug Trafficking Crisis
From an October 27, 2010 report by Kevin Casas-Zamora of the Brookings Institution.
'Barbie' Talks?
Mexican authorities are making it seem as if Edgar Valdez Villareal, alias La Barbie, is cooperating with them following their recent capture of the drug lord. The police released a…
63pc of Mexican Municipalities 'Inflitrated' by Traffickers
A new study by the Congressional Commission on Development of the Municipalities in Mexico says that drug trafficking groups control 8 percent of all the municipalities, or 71, according…
20,000 Migrants Kidnapped per year in Mexico
Twenty thousand migrants per year are kidnapped in Mexico by criminal groups, ElSalvador.com says, citing Mexican and international monitoring organizations. The startling number appears just days after 72 migrants…
Colombia Government: 152 Gangs in Medellin
Colombian authorities have indentified 152 gangs operating in Medellin, according to a report by Caracol citing a government intelligence report.
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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