The robbers of drug shipments known as "tumbadores" are the pirates of the Central American cocaine trail, but their stories of theft, corruption, murder and drug trafficking are closely intertwined with the…
A former Panama policeman has become a commander in the FARC's 57th Front, demonstrating the Colombian guerrillas' established presence across the Central American border and practice of recruiting foreigners into…
Throughout the isthmus underworld, an island is worth more than 1,000 kilometers of road. It is not surprising then that Panama's islands have few authorities and many traffickers. …
Panama's intelligence sources have identified four major Mexican cartels operating in that country, another sign of the widening reach of Mexico's criminals across the region, and of Panama's importance as…
Panama's Attorney General has called for more funds to combat the nation's 201 gangs, highlighting how the issue of street gangs is not limited to the violence-ridden Northern Triangle countries…
Why did the seizure of a briefcase containing money on a secluded Costa Rican border cause so much concern to a Nicaraguan and a Salvadoran? The web of drug trafficking…
Panama is the financial and commercial center of Central America, but also, historically, it is where drug traffickers launder money. Real estate, businesses and even greeting cards are used by…
Coca crops and processing laboratories have been discovered in Panama for the second time this year, suggesting that cultivation is now creeping across three of Colombia's borders and into neighboring countries.
Panamanian authorities have discovered weapons and "sophisticated missile equipment" on a ship traveling from Cuba to North Korea along the Panama Canal, raising the question of who tipped off…
Panama's President Ricardo Martinelli has succeeded in completely banishing Colombian guerrilla group the FARC from his country, he claimed, although evidence points to the contrary.
The discovery of Central America's first ever coca plantation in the Panama-Colombia border region could indicate the expansion of FARC activities in an area already used by the guerrilla group…
Police in Costa Rica have dismantled a network that trafficked cocaine from Colombia for sale within the country, highlighting how Costa Rica's growth as a drug transit country may increase…
About InSight Crime
Emergency First Aid in Hostile Environments
At InSight Crime's annual treat, we ramped up hostile environment and emergency first aid training for our 40-member staff, many of whom conduct on-the-ground investigations in dangerous corners of the region.
Series on Environmental Crime in the Amazon Generates Headlines
InSight Crime and the Igarapé Institute have been delighted at the response to our joint investigation into environmental crimes in the Colombian Amazon. Coverage of our chapters dedicated to illegal mining…
Exploring Climate Change and Organized Crime
In July, InSight Crime Co-director Steven Dudley moderated a panel for the Climate Reality Project's regional series of workshops for young climate activists in the Americas. The week-long event…
Gearing Up a New Class of Interns
InSight Crime is readying its newest class of interns – from universities in Europe and the Americas – to begin investigative work on a number of high-impact projects. For the…
Tracking Environmental Crime in the Amazon
Next week, InSight Crime launches an investigation – conducted with Brazilian think-tank the Igarapé Institute – on the sophisticated organized crime structures and armed groups that…
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