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Criminal Actors
Histories and profiles of organized crime groups, insurgencies, street gangs, vigilantes and the criminal actors that lead them.
Luis Agustin Caicedo Velandia, alias 'Don Lucho'
COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES
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JULY 16, 2021
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'
MEXICO PERSONALITIES
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AUGUST 3, 2020
José Antonio Yépez Ortiz, alias “El Marro,” is the former leader of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel (CSRL).
Marcelo Fernando Pinheiro Veiga, alias 'Piloto'
BRAZIL PERSONALITIES
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APRIL 13, 2020
Marcelo “Piloto” Pinheiro was considered one of the Brazilian government’s most sought-after drug traffickers until 2017.
Gilberto Aparecido Dos Santos, alias 'Fuminho'
BRAZIL PERSONALITIES
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APRIL 13, 2020
Gilberto Aparecido Dos Santos, alias “Fuminho,” is one of the leaders of Brazil’s largest criminal gang, the First Capital Command…
Family of the North - FDN
BRAZIL
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MARCH 5, 2020
Family of the North (Familia do Norte - FDN) is Brazil’s third-largest criminal group, with a strong presence in the…
Ex-FARC Mafia
COLOMBIA GROUPS
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6 MAR 2020
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'
COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES
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FEBRUARY 2, 2020
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'
COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES
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JULY 5, 2022
José Vicente Lesmes, alias "Walter Mendoza," was a historic FARC commander and currently a top leader within the Second Marquetalia.
Gulf Cartel
EL COSS
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JANUARY 30, 2020
The Gulf Cartel is among the oldest most powerful cartels in Mexico, but has lost territory in recent years.
Henry Castellanos Garzón, alias 'Romaña'
COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES
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DECEMBER 9, 2021
Henry Castellanos Garzón, alias “Romaña,” was the commander of the 53rd Front of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia…
Leider Johani Noscue, alias 'Mayimbú'
COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES
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8 NOV 2019
Leider Noscue, known by his alias “Mayimbú,” is currently one of the highest-value military targets in the department of Cauca,…
Ex-FARC Mafia
COLOMBIA GROUPS
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JUNE 28, 2022
Las disidencias de las FARC o ex-Farc Mafia son grupos de excombatientes de la antigua guerrilla que se opusieron o…
Latest
Desperation in the Desert: The Industrialization of Migrant Smuggling on the US-Mexico Border
FEATURED
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5 OCT 2022
Along the US-Mexico border, a booming migrant smuggling industry is closely monitored by organized crime groups.
Military Arsenals Provide Convenient Source of Weapons for Latin American Gangs
ARMS TRAFFICKING
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4 OCT 2022
Corruption, no supervision, and poor legislation have led to Latin American military weapons ending up in criminal hands.
High-Profile Venezuela-US Prisoner Swap Comes at Opportune Moment
ELITES AND CRIME
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4 OCT 2022
A high-profile prisoner swap raises hopes of improving US-Venezuela relations and abilities to tackle organized crime.
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