News
On the Radar: Mexico's Criminal Pressure Points: Drugs, Corruption, and CJNG Fuel Theft
2+ hour, 26+ min ago (368+ words) Who is winning the drug war " governments or drugs? Is Mexico's ruling party cracking under pressure from President Trump and organized crime? What is in the crosshairs of the latest OFAC sanctions against the Jalisco Cartel target? Help us continue…...
Tren de Aragua's "Johan Petrica': Fugitive and Potential Heir
23+ hour, 53+ min ago (406+ words) The killing of H'ctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, alias "Ni'o Guerrero," leaves Yohan Jos' Romero, alias "Johan Petrica," as the last original Tren de Aragua leader still at large." Ni'o Guerrero was killed in June 2026 during joint US-Venezuelan operations near Las…...
The In Sight Take: El Salvador's Mass Trials Put Bukele's Gang Crackdown on Display
2+ day, 2+ hour ago (180+ words) Alex: [00: 00: 23] Of course. Deborah: [00: 00: 23] Can you tell us when these mass trials started, why, and what's the latest? Con una donaci'n recurrente desde US$50 o una donaci'n "nica desde US$15, podr" acceder a beneficios exclusivos. Su apoyo es fundamental para…...
Jos" Adolfo Mac'as Villamar, alias "Fito"
2+ day, 20+ hour ago (750+ words) Fito's 2024 prison escape triggered a nationwide manhunt and a criminal and political crisis in Ecuador that led President Daniel Noboa to declare an "internal conflict" between the government and armed groups. He was recaptured in June 2025 and extradited to the…...
Choneros" Extraditions to US Will Test Ecuador"s Kingpin Strategy
2+ day, 23+ hour ago (465+ words) The extraditions to the United States of key members of the Choneros is a litmus test for Ecuador's kingpin strategy of culling criminal organizations from the top down." Javi was among those identified as a possible successor to Fito, after…...
Peru's Next President Faces Extortion, Illegal Mining, and a Hostile Congress
6+ day, 48+ min ago (937+ words) Conservative hardliner Keiko Fujimori is poised to become Peru's next president, following a chaotic and divisive election that has underscored the challenges she faces in taming a longstanding political crisis that has enabled the spread of organized crime. Fujimori, making…...
On the Radar: A Right Turn in Colombia and Peru Ups Security Concerns
1+ week, 3+ hour ago (265+ words) Will Colombia's president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella keep his security promises in office? Why did the DEA let fentanyl flow into New Mexico? And will Peru's new president-elect help stem political instability and the rise of organized crime and extortion?...
The In Sight Take: Colombia Turns Right With Abelardo de la Espriella. Here Are the Washington and Security Challenges.
1+ week, 1+ day ago (475+ words) Deborah: [00: 00: 00] Colombia has elected Abelardo de la Espriella, a hard-line, Trump aligned candidate, as its next president, set to take office in August. He's promised to end negotiations with armed groups, rebuild the security forces, eradicate coca, construct mega prisons…...
Influencers and Organized Crime: Identifying Patterns in Their Relationship
1+ week, 6+ day ago (464+ words) Social media influencers are playing an increasingly important role in organized crime. The kidnapping of social media star Nicole Pardo earlier this year created headlines beyond Mexico, as readers waited to see what fate would befall the crime-adjacent influencer." But…...
Two Extremes: The Security Choices Facing Colombian Voters
1+ week, 6+ day ago (922+ words) Iv'n Cepeda and Abelardo de la Espriella, two candidates with opposing visions for Colombia's future on security, drugs, and peace, are set to face off in the presidential runoff this weekend." Cepeda, a left-wing senator, philosopher, and peace advocate, will…...