News Analysis

Costa Rica Struggles to Profit from Sale of Narco-Assets

In Costa Rica, the seizure of narco-assets presents more of an obstacle than a gift to authorities.

Monos Leader Continues to Call the Shots from Behind Bars

Violence is rocking Argentina’s port city of Rosario just as the leaders of its biggest gang, the Monos, are on…

Haiti’s Neighbors Grow Concerned at Spread of Gang Governance

International efforts to help Haiti since the devastating August 14 earthquake continue to be hampered by gang violence, with reports…

Panama Unveils Extent of Official Participation in Drug Trafficking

As Panama struggles to contain an ever-growing flow of cocaine, a recent operation has revealed the extent to which officials…

Modifying Planes to Carry Drugs - Another Criminal Speciality in Colombia

A gang, which modified aircraft to be able to carry cocaine from Colombia to the United States and Mexico, has…

As Marijuana Profits Dry Up, Mexico Crime Groups Turn to Alcohol and Logging

Mexico remains the main international provider of marijuana for the United States, but this has greatly diminished since 2013, forcing…

Álex Saab, Venezuela’s Keeper of Financial Secrets, Approved For Extradition to US

A court in Cabo Verde has approved the extradition to the United States of Colombian businessman Álex Saab, who may…

Venezuela's Smaller Gangs Carve Out Local Criminal Fiefdoms

The visual is an arresting one. A Venezuelan army sergeant, his face swollen and his nose bleeding from a beating,…

Explosives and Weapons Heading to Ecuador – Colombia Border

Authorities have made a string of explosives and weapons seizures while patrolling the Colombia-Ecuador border region – a remote and…

Well-planned Hospital Hit of Honduran Businessman Raises Questions

Honduran businessman Wilkin Montalván's name came up in November 2018 when US agents questioned Tony Hernández, the president's brother, about…

Guatemala's Former Top Anti-Graft Prosecutor Decries Arrest Warrant

A Guatemalan court has issued an arrest warrant for exiled anti-corruption prosecutor Juan Francisco Sandoval, ending any chance that he…

Severed Pig Heads - Widespread Cartel Threats Against Mexican Police

Criminal groups in Mexico are posting in public lists of police they plan to kill, and the message often comes…