Criminal Actors
Histories and profiles of organized crime groups, insurgencies, street gangs, vigilantes and the criminal actors that lead them.
Despite Security Gains, Violence Stalks Colombia’s Elections
Colombia has seen 41 candidates killed in the run-up to the local elections, in an explosion of violence that…
The New Political Face of Colombia’s Drug Gangs
Colombia's new generation criminal gangs, known as BACRIMs, have set their sights on infiltrating local politics, following the tradition of…
Texis Cartel
Unlike some Central American gangs that have earned fame for their brutality and their liberal use of violence, the Cartel…
José Adán Salazar Umaña, alias ‘Chepe Diablo’
José Adán Salazar Umaña, alias "Chepe Diablo," does not fit the normal profile of a criminal leader. As the…
Reynerio Flores Lazo
While Reynerio Flores is serving an 80-year jail term, he remains one of the most notorious and important leaders of…
José Natividad Luna Pereira, alias ‘Chepe Luna’
Once the most powerful boss of the Perrones "transportista" syndicate, Jose Natividad Luna Pereira, alias "Chepe Luna," was murdered in…
El Salvador Profile
El Salvador is a relatively small but growing player in the drug trafficking business. It serves as…
Perrones
The Perrones are El Salvador's most infamous transportation group. Made up of a mix of hoteliers, human smugglers, and contraband…
MS13
The Mara Salvatrucha, or MS13, is perhaps the most notorious street gang in the Western Hemisphere. While it has its…
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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