Colombia's national police chief, General Oscar Naranjo, stated that the biggest challenge facing his successor is illegal mining, an increasingly important source of funds for criminal groups.
The Peruvian government's crackdown on illegal mining, which some link to organized crime, has triggered massive protests in the southeast town of Puerto Maldonado.
Venezuelas abundant coltan resources are exploited by several armed groups, and Colombian rebels the FARC may be the best positioned to become major players in extracting the new "conflict mineral."…
Colombia's National Police revealed that the FARC and BACRIMS control illegal mining operations in nearly half of the country, an indication of how important the industry has become for the…
A clash between two gangs over illegal gold mining has killed nine in French Guiana, in an example of the violence often associated with illicit mining in the overseas French…
With over eight million hectares in Colombia already licensed for mining projects, the municipality of Anori may indicate what lies in store for the rest of the country if the…
Colombia created a prosecutor's office which will deal exclusively with environmental crime. One significant question is how much energy the new office will put into investigating unlicensed mining, a source…
Colombia's mining and energy minister said unlicensed mining "should be given the same treatment as drug trafficking," due to the connections between armed groups and the mining trade.
The New York Times photo blog features images from Choco, on Colombia's Pacific coast, where Afro-Colombian communities are menaced by armed groups who are taking control of the illicit…
A TV special by PBS details the threats community activists in Colombia face from armed groups, as they try to keep an industrial gold mining company from seizing their land.
Less than a week after approving a border security plan with Colombia, Brazil signaled that it would like to extend the security initiative to another partner in the…
Ecuador's military carried out a operation to shut down illegal goldmines in the northwest of the country, close to the border with Colombia.
About InSight Crime
All Eyes on Ecuador
Our coverage of organized crime in Ecuador continues to be a valuable resource for international and local news outlets. Internationally, Reuters cited our 2022 Homicide Round-Up,…
Open Position: Social Media and Engagement Strategist
InSight Crime is looking for a Social Media and Engagement Strategist who will be focused on maintaining and improving InSight Crime’s reputation and interaction with its audiences through publishing activities…
Venezuela Coverage Receives Great Reception
Several of InSight Crime’s most recent articles about Venezuela have been well received by regional media. Our article on Venezuela’s colectivos expanding beyond their political role to control access to…
InSight Crime's Chemical Precursor Report Continues
For the second week in a row, our investigation into the flow of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of synthetic drugs in Mexico has been cited by multiple regional media…
InSight Crime’s Chemical Precursor Report Widely Cited
We are proud to see that our recently published investigation into the supply chain of chemical precursors feeding Mexico’s synthetic drug production has been warmly received.
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