News Analysis

Ecuador's Navy Grappling With Mounting Evidence of Criminal Collusion

Corrupt Navy troops in Ecuador can be highly useful for drug traffickers, either to protect cocaine shipments or to simply…

Caribbean Nations Call for US Gun Crackdown as Murder Rates Soar

As American-made guns continue to flood the Caribbean, heads of state are demanding that the US do more to stem the…

Jamaica Seizing Ever-Larger Cocaine Shipments from Colombia

A string of large cocaine seizures in Jamaica suggests the island is becoming a central hub for trafficking to the…

Nature Under Threat in Ecuador as Gold Miners Target National Park

Podocarpus Natural Park in southern Ecuador is only the most recent one to be threatened by encroaching gold miners.

Chile's Copper Industry Under Siege as Robbers Attack Ports and Trains

Chile's lucrative copper industry is beleaguered by daring attacks on trains carrying tons of copper through the desert.

Venezuela's Police Reform Unlikely to Halt Corrupt Ties to Organized Crime

A long-touted police reform in Venezuela would likely have a limited impact on rampant corruption in the ranks.

Trial of Mexico's Former Top Cop May Shine Light on Weaknesses of US Drug War

The trial of Mexico’s former top public security official will reveal shortcomings in the fight against organized crime.

Reports of Brazil's PCC Taking Over Portugal Cocaine Trade Remain Unfounded

Record seizures of cocaine in Portugal have raised fears Brazil's PCC may be getting increasingly involved.

Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport Becoming Arrival Point for Mexican Drugs

Dutch authorities have seized three Mexican drug loads at Schiphol Airport, marking a new trafficking trend for Europe.

How Important Is Peru’s Port of Callao for Cocaine Trade?

Peru's largest seaport handles millions of tons of cargo annually, a fact that cocaine traffickers are using to their advantage.

Hong Kong Traffickers Receive Cocaine From Across Latin America

Hong Kong regularly receives methamphetamine from Mexico. Now it's a major destination for cocaine shipments from across Latin America.

Death, Taxes, and Extortion: Why Latin American Companies Keep Paying Up

Extortion in Latin America continues to bring in fortunes for criminal gangs. So how do they do it?…