Digging Into a Toxic Trade: Illegal Mining in Amazon Tri-Border Regions

Illegal mining is by far the most widespread and insidious environmental crime occurring in the Amazon’s tri-border regions.

Monagas: The Missing Link for Venezuela Drug Traffickers

Cocaine traffickers in Venezuela are exploiting a new route to the Caribbean Sea through the state of Monagas.

Kidnappings Surge in Colombia Amid ELN Peace Negotiations

Kidnappings are rising across Colombia as the government prepares for a cease fire with the ELN, the country's largest remaining armed group.

How Criminal Groups Helped Fill Venezuela's Post-Chávez Void

Venezuela's Presidents Chávez and Maduro, to secure long-term power, ensured the country's criminal groups would answer to them.

The Future of Venezuela's Hybrid State

President Maduro has proven highly resilient, weathering sanctions abroad and an economic crisis at home. His hybrid state creation helped him to do so.

Rise and Fall of a Hybrid Guerrilla Group: The Bolivarian Liberation Forces

The FBL were a useful criminal ally to Maduro's regime in Venezuela. They were granted favors, political power, and impunity, before seeing a precipitous downfall.

Venezuela Security Policy: Armed Groups and Electoral Interference

For the third consecutive time, Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro is seeking reelection in the elections that will take place at the end of 2024. If this election is like the…

The Tancol: Venezuela’s Phantom Enemy

Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has repeatedly claimed that Tancol, a term for Colombian terrorist groups, are threatening the country. But there is no evidence they exist.

Humanitarian Aid Blocked by Armed Groups in Colombia

The United Nations has warned that armed groups are restricting humanitarian access to several regions of Colombia.

3 Takeaways From UNICEF Report on Child Recruitment in Colombia

A new study has outlined how the ethnicity and socio-economic background of children are key factors in their forced recruitment in Colombia.

Colombia's Talks With ELN Stumbling, Again

The ELN's talks with the government are not going smoothly. Continuing attacks and disagreements about ceasefires have kept Colombia's Total Peace on a knife-edge.

Colombia, Venezuela Security Partnership Puts Pressure on ELN

Colombia's security policy has made clear the country's intention to tackle the ELN. But to do so, it's relying on the help of Venezuela.