News Analysis

Venezuela Security Policy: Illegal Mining and Deforestation

Illegal mining is one of Venezuela's most well-entrenched criminal economies. Are there any legal solutions to the ecocide it causes?…

Guatemala Elites Meddle Again in Presidential Election, Suspending Results

Guatemala's election results have been suspended after complaints of election fraud. Multiple observer agencies said the elections were fair.

Venezuela Security Policy: The Criminal Exploitation of the Migrant Crisis

In this article, the Venezuela Organized Crime Observatory examines the policy intervention options for tackling the criminal exploitation of the…

Can Brazil Keep Illegal Miners Off Yanomami Lands?  

Brazil’s Federal Police detected no new illegal mines on Yanomami territory, but there remain barriers to ending illegal mining in…

From Smuggling to Trafficking: One Migrant's Nightmare on the Guatemala-Mexico Border

Sometimes the line between human smuggling and human trafficking can be blurred as coyotes take advantage of those they've promised…

US Indicts Chinese Companies in New Approach to Fighting Precursor Chemicals

The US government has brought its first-ever criminal charges against Chinese companies for allegedly trafficking precursor chemicals used to produce…

Crime Groups Drive Pre-Election Violence in Mexico, Brazil: Study

Acts of violence directly targeting government officials are more common in Mexico and Brazil than in other parts of the…

Honduras Anti-Gang Crackdown Targets Only One Source of Violence 

The Honduran government's anti-gang crackdown risks oversimplifying the causes behind the country's violence.

Latin American Synthetic Drug Consumption Remains Modest: UNODC

Synthetic drugs are growing in prevalence around the world, but consumer markets in Latin America remain limited.

Historic Guatemala Elections Poised to Rattle Corrupt Establishment

Left-wing candidate Bernardo Arévalo caused a dramatic upset in Guatemala's elections, securing a run-off with Sandra Torres of UNE.

Theft and Corruption Hinder Venezuela's Oil Industry

Venezuela's oil production is on the up, but so too are thefts from pipelines and associated criminal activity.

Sinaloa's Rat, Jalisco's Rooster: The Evolution of Cartel Patches in Mexico

The CJNG, Sinaloa Cartel, Chapitos and more have used military-style patches to promote unity and loyalty.