Criminal Actors
Histories and profiles of organized crime groups, insurgencies, street gangs, vigilantes and the criminal actors that lead them.
Nicolás Rodríguez Bautista, alias ‘Gabino’
Nicolás Rodríguez Bautista, alias "Gabino," was a peasant recruit who rose to become the commander in chief and political leader…
Fernando Sanchez Arellano, alias ‘El Ingeniero’
Fernando Sanchez Arellano, alias "El Ingeniero" or "Fernandito," was the enigmatic head of the Tijuana Cartel, until his capture in…
Erickson Vargas Cardenas, alias ‘Sebastian’ (Oficina)
Erickson Vargas Cardenas, alias "Sebastian," is a former hitman turned leader of the feared Oficina de Envigado organization that operates…
Eliecer Erlinto Chamorro, alias ‘Antonio Garcia’
Eliecer Erlinto Chamorro, alias "Antonio Garcia," is the number two commander in Colombias National Liberation Army (…
Antonio Cardenas Guillen, alias ‘Tony Tormenta’
Antonio Cardenas Guillen, alias "Tony Tormenta," headed up the financial and logistics side of the Gulf Cartel, which his brother,…
Alejandro Flores Cacho
Alejandro Flores Cacho runs the air operations of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. A mysterious figure, relatively little is known…
Heriberto Lazcano, alias ‘Z3’
Heriberto Lazcano, alias "Z3," was a former commander in the Mexican special forces, before going on to head the…
Daniel Barrera Barrera, alias ‘El Loco’
Daniel Barrera Barrera, alias "El Loco," was the closest thing Colombia has to a modern Pablo Escobar. Until his capture…
Miguel Angel Treviño, alias ‘Z40’
Miguel Angel Treviño, alias "Z40," was a top commander of the Zetas criminal organization in Mexico before his capture by…
Diego Perez Henao, alias ‘Diego Rastrojo’
Diego Perez Henao, alias "Diego Rastrojo," was the military head of the Rastrojos, a criminal syndicate whose…
Luis E. Calle Serna
Luis Enrique Calle Serna was a leader in the feared and ambitious Rastrojos criminal organization in Colombia. He surrendered to US…
Latest News
Venezuela Oil Crisis May Set Limits on PDVSA Impunity
Venezuelan officials may have finally met a PDVSA corruption scandal they cannot allow to go unpunished, hinting at just how dire the country’s oil and gas shortage has become.
Venezuela’s Saab Story Continues With Benefit Concert
As alleged Maduro financier Alex Saab awaits potential extradition to the United States, the Venezuelan government decided that a concert catered by a company linked to Saab’s illicit activities would…
US Senators Seek Sanctions Against Honduras President
Eight Democratic senators have sent the first signals that the United States will divorce itself from Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández amid mounting allegations of drug trafficking, saying in a…
Investigations
Chapters
Stay Informed with InSight Weekly
Get fresh updates on organized crime from across the region delivered to your inbox.
SUBSCRIBE