Criminal Actors

Histories and profiles of organized crime groups, insurgencies, street gangs, vigilantes and the criminal actors that lead them.

Filter by
From
Ordered By

Rastrojos

COLOMBIA / JULY 20, 2022

The Rastrojos were born out of the powerful Norte del Valle drug cartel and rose to become one of the…

Familia Michoacana

LA FAMILIA MICHOACANA / MAY 5, 2020

The Familia Michoacana is a once-powerful cartel whose influence drained after the death of its leader in 2014.

ERPAC

COLOMBIA GROUPS / 2017-03-10 03:23:57

The Popular Revolutionary Anti-Terrorist Army of Colombia (Ejercito Revolucionario Popular Antiterrorista Colombiano - ERPAC) began as a right-wing…

Oficina de Envigado

COLOMBIA GROUPS / OCTOBER 28, 2020

The Oficina de Envigado has evolved from a debt collection agency for Pablo Escobar to one of the most important…

CIACS

ARMS TRAFFICKING / 2017-03-09 22:38:30

Guatemala's 40-year civil war laid the groundwork for many criminal organizations, including several that spawned from state intelligence and military…

Latest

DEA Criticized for Tame Review of Foreign Operations

COCAINE / 29 MAR 2023

The DEA faces criticisms for a review into its foreign operations following corruption scandals.

Caborca Cartel Resists Chapitos in Battle for Sonora, Mexico

CHAPITOS / 28 MAR 2023

The Chapitos and the Caborca Cartel are warring over fentanyl and methamphetamine drug routes in Sonora, Mexico.

Venezuela Kills Gang Leader Whose Political Connections Were 'Open Secret'

ELITES AND CRIME / 27 MAR 2023

The killing of Venezuelan criminal, alias "El Conejo," by authorities is being reported as a major coup. The reality is more complex.

image

Browse by Country

A country-by-country breakdown of the news as well as key criminal groups and players across Latin America and the Caribbean.

VIEW MAP
icon #SupportFreePress
image

Support Our Work

Investigating organized crime is an expensive and often risky enterprise. Reaching primary sources and getting the real story involve extensive fieldwork. Please donate. Every dollar supports our mission.

DONATE NOW image