News Analysis

3rd Mexican Mayor Killed in 2 Weeks as Cartels Increasingly Target Politicians

The mayor of a small town in southern Mexico, Luis Jimenez Mata, was assassinated yesterday by unknown gunmen in the…

FARC Recruiting More Foreigners

Colombian rebels appear to be increasing their recruitment of foreign nationals after an Ecuadorean was captured and a Panamanian surrendered…

Police Arrest Link between Colombia's Rastrojos and the Sinaloa Cartel

Colombian police, working with the DEA, have captured in Cali a man they insist is the link between the Rastrojos…

Murders Reveal Pattern of Femicides in Guatemala

The burned bodies of three women were found dumped by a road outside Guatemala’s capital Wednesday. The country has one…

The Cost of Mexico's Drug War

Last year was the bloodiest year on record since Mexico’s president, Felipe Calderon, took office four years ago. …

Calderon Administration Releases Official 2006-2010 Homicide Figures

More than 34,000 Mexicans have died in drug trafficking-related homicides in the four years since Mexico’s president, Felipe Calderon, declared…

Mexican Activist Slain While Protesting Daughter's Murder

Activist Marisela Escobedo, 52, was shot and killed while demanding justice for her daughter's murder in Chihuahua City on…

Chihuahua Attorney General Opens Juarez Human Trafficking Investigation

An anti-human trafficking coalition identified a number of possible prostitution recruitment centers throughout Ciudad Juarez this week, prompting the Chihuahua…

Land Reform a Threat to Criminal Interests in Colombia

Last weekend police found the bodies of three land reform activists in the central department of Tolima, Colombia. The victims,…

Surge in FARC Attacks Accompany Hostage Negotiations

The rebel of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - FARC) have escalated their attacks…

Mexican Drug Gangs Have 230 'Branches' in US, Canada

A recent US Army-commissioned study found that Mexican cartels have entered into 48 of the 50 U.S. states, and have…

Reports of New Criminal Groups in Mexico May Challenge Current Policy

A recent investigation by Mexico City’s Attorney General may shed light on the effect of assassinating cartel leaders, a strategy…