Why did Venezuela's Peace Zones Backfire So Badly?
Venezuela’s Peace Zones were arguably some of the strongest evidence showcasing the odd, fluctuating relationship between organized crime and the government.
A Seat at the Table: What New Governors in Venezuela Mean for Organized Crime
November regional elections brought changes to many powerful offices in regions where criminal organizations wield significant political power, highlighting the significance of localized criminal dynamics and the consolidated grip of…
In Contested Zulia and Táchira, Violence Mars Venezuelan Elections
Under the view of international observers, elections in Venezuela this weekend showed low levels of interference by armed groups or organized crime.
‘The Rebel of the South’: Rise of the R Organization
At around 11 p.m. on April 6, 2020, Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Solís was returning to the military base he commanded near the town of Tumeremo in the eastern Venezuela state…
Metal Hands and Rubber Feet: Colombian Guerrillas and Venezuelan Gold
rmed men ambushed a group of gold miners near the Corre Gente mine in the municipality of Sifontes, near to Venezuela’s border with Guyana.
The Governors, the Gang and the War for Bolívar's Gold
On November 5, 2019, threatening pamphlets appeared on the streets of El Callao, a mining town in Venezuela's eastern state of Bolívar.
El Koki or Wilexis – Who Runs Caracas’ Most Powerful Drug Gang?
Unsurprisingly, Caracas consumes more drugs than anywhere else in the country. And despite a catastrophic economic crisis, a handful of gangs continue to make strong profits from microtrafficking in the…
Tren de Aragua, Venezuela's Most Dangerous Gang, Spotted in Chile
Authorities in Chile are on high alert due to reports that a Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua is involved in migrant smuggling in the country, further evidence of…
Alleged Money Launderer Álex Saab Facing US Justice Triggers Fallout from Venezuela
Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro's aggressive reaction to the extradition of accused money launderer and ally Álex Saab – who appeared for the first time before a US judge to face…
The Coast of Sucre - Venezuela's Most Dangerous Place for Piracy
Merchants travelling to Trinidad and Tobago, fishing vessels, even the occasional tourist – all are tempting targets for pirates off Venezuela’s northern state of Sucre. …
The Fallout from Apure and the Enemy Within
The Colombian guerrillas have won a battle against the Venezuelan military in the state of Apure. But they will never win the war. Nevertheless, the fighting made one thing clear:…
The Venezuelan Military: Outfought and Outmatched
On April 23, 2021, two Venezuelan military helicopters landed near the town of La Victoria in the border state of Apure filled with soldiers dispatched to hunt dissident Colombian guerrillas.
About InSight Crime
Guatemala Social Insecurity Investigation Makes Front Page News
InSight Crime’s latest investigation into a case of corruption within Guatemala's social security agency linked to the deaths of patients with kidney disease made waves in…
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…
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