Criminal Actors
Histories and profiles of organized crime groups, insurgencies, street gangs, vigilantes and the criminal actors that lead them.
Juan Antonio ‘Tony’ Hernández Alvarado
Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernández Alvarado is a former Honduran congressman, the brother of the current president of Honduras and a…
Tren de Aragua
The Tren de Aragua is Venezuela’s most powerful local "megabanda," or large criminal gangs with more than 100 members. This…
Luis Agustin Caicedo Velandia, alias ‘Don Lucho’
For some two decades, Luis Agustin Caicedo Velandia, alias “Don Lucho,” is alleged to have played a significant role in…
José Antonio Yépez Ortiz, alias ‘El Marro’
José Antonio Yépez Ortiz, alias “El Marro,” is the leader of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel (CSRL) and one…
Marcelo Fernando Pinheiro Veiga, alias “Piloto”
Marcelo “Piloto” Pinheiro was considered one of the Brazilian government’s most sought-after drug traffickers until 2017. He is believed to…
Gilberto Aparecido Dos Santos, alias ‘Fuminho’
Gilberto Aparecido Dos Santos, alias “Fuminho,” is one of the leaders of Brazil’s largest and most powerful criminal organization, the…
Family of the North – FDN
Family of the North (Familia do Norte - FDN) has long been Brazil’s third-largest criminal group, with a strong presence…
Ex-FARC Mafia
The ex-FARC Mafia are a series of criminal structures that emerged during the peace negotiations between the Colombian government and…
José Manuel Sierra Sabogal, alias ‘Zarco Aldinever’
José Manuel Sierra Sabogal, alias "Zarco Aldinever," served with the 51st, 52nd, and 26th fronts, in the departments of Meta,…
José Vicente Lesmes, alias ‘Walter Mendoza’
José Vicente Lesmes, alias "Walter Mendoza," played a historic role within the ranks of the now demobilized FARC, playing an…
Leider Johani Noscue, alias ‘Mayimbú’
Leider Noscue, known by his alias “Mayimbú,” is currently one of the highest-value military targets in the department of Cauca,…
Ex-FARC Mafia
Las disidencias de las FARC o ex-Farc Mafia son grupos de excombatientes de la antigua guerrilla que se opusieron o…
Latest News
Dirty Business – The Smuggling Pipeline Carrying Mercury Across the Amazon
Smuggling networks are feeding illegal mining operations across the Amazon Basin with mercury, despite global efforts to clamp down on the use of the substance.
How Chinese Criminals Secretly Move Millions for Mexico Cartels
While the involvement of Chinese money-laundering rings in handling drug proceeds from Mexico is nothing new, a number of recent court cases in the United States have revealed crucial information…
Showdown Brewing Over Fate of Runaway Mexico Governor
Time appears to be running out for the governor of the US-Mexico border state of Tamaulipas – after lawmakers stripped him of his immunity from prosecution and US officials shared…
Investigations
Chapters
Stay Informed with InSight Weekly
Get fresh updates on organized crime from across the region delivered to your inbox.
SUBSCRIBE