Wildlife Under Threat: Traffickers Target Colombia’s Vital Fauna

Colombia is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, home to some 1,800 species of birds, 600 species of amphibians, 500 species of reptiles and 3,200 species of fish.

French Guiana’s Unpatrolled Waters Lure Illegal Fishing Crews

Illegal fishing off the coast of French Guiana surged amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as French maritime patrols struggled to mobilize resources, luring illegal fishing crews to the country's pristine waters.

Latin America's Bustling Trade in Seahorses to China

A new investigation has identified Mexico as a major contributor to a global seahorse trafficking network centered around China but it seems likely that this trade is also affecting other…

Uruguay Cracking Down on Cattle Rustling from Brazil

A surge in cattle and horse rustling is plaguing ranchers along the Uruguay-Brazil border, but a new specialized unit dedicated to tackling the crime may be showing signs of success.

Mexico City’s Roaring Trade in Wildlife Trafficking

A series of unusual and contrasting seizures of rare fauna in the Mexico City area have raised important questions about the modus operandi of wildlife trafficking in and through Mexico’s…

Shrimp Gangs Rob, Extort, Kill in Ecuador

The persistent robbery, extortion, assault and even murder of shrimp farm workers by armed gangs in Ecuador has led the shrimp sector to once more demand gun reforms, in a…

GameChangers 2020: How Black Markets Became the New Normal

In a region where 50 percent of the population already makes its living in the informal market, it was perhaps of little surprise that black markets exploded in 2020 amidst…

Social Media Used to Sell Exotic Animals in Brazil

A spate of recent operations targeting wildlife trafficking rings in Brazil have highlighted the extent to which such groups have been increasingly relying on social media platforms to facilitate their…

Argentina Turns to DNA to Fight Cattle Rustling

Officials in Argentina have been discussing how DNA testing may be used to curb cattle rustling and rural crime in Santa Fe, indicating ministers will seek to apply fresh methods…

Organized Crime in 2020 - Highlights of InSight Crime's Annual Conference

A number of Latin America’s leading academics, investigative journalists and security experts gathered virtually December 3 to discuss the most pressing developments in transnational organized crime across the region in…

Mako Sharks Gutted and Tossed on a Chilean Landfill

The discovery of 17 shark carcasses discarded in a landfill in Chile indicates that illegal fishing practices may be on the rise as criminal actors continue to prey on marine…

Pirates of the Lake - Gangs Prey on Venezuelan Fishermen

Fisherman are denouncing increased piracy around Lake Valencia in northern Venezuela, which is weakening one of the last productive industries in the area.