Criminal Actors
Histories and profiles of organized crime groups, insurgencies, street gangs, vigilantes and the criminal actors that lead them.
Brazil Profile
Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy, has seen some important security advances in recent years, taking dozens of communities in Rio…
Norte del Valle Cartel
The Norte del Valle Cartel (NDVC) emerged out of the breakup of the infamous Cali Cartel to became the wealthiest and most powerful Colombian drug trafficking organization…
Urabeños
The Urabeños emerged from the ashes of Colombia’s paramilitary movement to become the dominant criminal force in Colombia, with a…
Barrio Azteca
The Barrio Azteca prison gang emerged in Texas prisons, later served as armed support to the Juárez Cartel, and has…
Roberto Vargas Gutiérrez, alias ‘Gavilán’
Roberto Vargas Gutiérrez, alias "Gavilán," transformed himself from Maoist guerrilla to paramilitary fighter to top leader of the Urabeños.
Diego Fernando Murillo, alias ‘Don Berna’
Until his extradition to the United States in 2008, Diego Fernando Murillo, alias "Don Berna," was the leader of mafia…
Zetas
Beginning as a group of Special Forces deserters at the service of the Gulf Cartel, the Zetas would go on…
Henry de Jesús López, alias ‘Mi Sangre’
Medellin native Henry de Jesus Lopez, alias "Mi Sangre," had a prolific criminal career that saw him…
Jose Eberto Lopez Montero, alias ‘Caracho’
Jose Eberto Lopez Montero, alias "Caracho," is a former soldier who was recruited into the ranks of the United Self-Defense…
Rodrigo Londoño Echeverri, alias ‘Timochenko’
Rodrigo Londoño Echeverri, alias "Timochenko," is only the third commander-in-chief in the FARC's nearly 50-year history. Of the three, Timochenko…
Cleaning Up Colombia’s Vote: The Government Response
Colombia's government is making more effort than ever before to keep criminals from winning political power in the coming…
Latest News
Colectivos Ramp Up Property Seizures in Venezuela
An increase in the number of reports of illegal invasions of homes and commercial establishments in Venezuela during the pandemic has revealed the ever-widening criminal portfolio managed by militant civilian…
French Guiana’s Unpatrolled Waters Lure Illegal Fishing Crews
Illegal fishing off the coast of French Guiana surged amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as French maritime patrols struggled to mobilize resources, luring illegal fishing crews to the country's pristine waters.
4 Key Takeaways from the Romanian Mafia in Mexico
An investigation into a criminal group, led by Romanians based in Mexico and specialized in ATM skimming and credit card fraud, has continued to uncover fascinating details about how the…
Investigations
Chapters
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