InSight Crime
@insightcrime.org
14 years of research and analysis on organized crime and corruption in Latin America and the Caribbean.
🇪🇨 | Ecuador has mobilized 10,000 soldiers to the coastal provinces of Guayas, Manabí, and Los Ríos in a so-called “total offensive” against gangs. Read more about why the government’s “mano dura” crime crackdown has had little impact so far: https://bit.ly/42bATkc
January 19, 2026 at 12:02 AM
🇪🇨 | Ecuador has mobilized 10,000 soldiers to the coastal provinces of Guayas, Manabí, and Los Ríos in a so-called “total offensive” against gangs. Read more about why the government’s “mano dura” crime crackdown has had little impact so far: https://bit.ly/42bATkc
🇨🇴 | Today marks one year since the ELN attacked the 33rd Front FARC dissidents in Catatumbo, displacing thousands in Colombia’s largest coca cultivation region. With violence ongoing, there is little sign the fighting will halt. Read more: https://bit.ly/3dkFk53
January 18, 2026 at 4:03 PM
🇨🇴 | Today marks one year since the ELN attacked the 33rd Front FARC dissidents in Catatumbo, displacing thousands in Colombia’s largest coca cultivation region. With violence ongoing, there is little sign the fighting will halt. Read more: https://bit.ly/3dkFk53
The final installment of our GameChangers 2025 series examines how the war on drugs is being reconfigured for 2026 and how this change could weaken it even further. Listen to the full analysis at #NarratedStories: https://bit.ly/4pYwqtX
January 18, 2026 at 2:03 PM
The final installment of our GameChangers 2025 series examines how the war on drugs is being reconfigured for 2026 and how this change could weaken it even further. Listen to the full analysis at #NarratedStories: https://bit.ly/4pYwqtX
🇨🇱 | A judge in Puerto Montt, Chile, ordered the imprisonment of seven prison guards who were part of a corruption network within the Alto Bonito prison. Find out more about other cases of corruption in Chilean security institutions in our coverage: https://bit.ly/4of89js
January 17, 2026 at 9:01 PM
🇨🇱 | A judge in Puerto Montt, Chile, ordered the imprisonment of seven prison guards who were part of a corruption network within the Alto Bonito prison. Find out more about other cases of corruption in Chilean security institutions in our coverage: https://bit.ly/4of89js
🇲🇽 | Authorities continue to locate improvised explosive devices in Michoacán, both in anti-personnel mines and attached to drones. The state has become the epicenter of the use of these explosives. Learn more in our coverage: https://bit.ly/40WU0h8
January 17, 2026 at 7:02 PM
🇲🇽 | Authorities continue to locate improvised explosive devices in Michoacán, both in anti-personnel mines and attached to drones. The state has become the epicenter of the use of these explosives. Learn more in our coverage: https://bit.ly/40WU0h8
🇪🇨 | In Nariño, Colombian authorities captured alias “Quevedo,” an alleged leader of the Choneros, one of Ecuador’s most powerful criminal organizations. Read more about why Ecuadorian crime leaders keep turning up in Colombia: https://bit.ly/49Dtnkm
January 17, 2026 at 4:02 PM
🇪🇨 | In Nariño, Colombian authorities captured alias “Quevedo,” an alleged leader of the Choneros, one of Ecuador’s most powerful criminal organizations. Read more about why Ecuadorian crime leaders keep turning up in Colombia: https://bit.ly/49Dtnkm
🇭🇳 | Development funds intended to improve Honduras were instead funneled to an already wealthy family with no experience building hydroelectric dams, and were later used to finance the high-profile killing of Berta Cáceres in March 2016. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4sJiUNl
January 17, 2026 at 3:01 PM
🇭🇳 | Development funds intended to improve Honduras were instead funneled to an already wealthy family with no experience building hydroelectric dams, and were later used to finance the high-profile killing of Berta Cáceres in March 2016. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4sJiUNl
Global gold prices are surging, but in much of Latin America, mining brings not prosperity but violence, corruption, and destruction. To hear stories of blood gold in Colombia, check out our investigative podcast series, the Shadow of El Dorado: bit.ly/49R0LFL
January 17, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Global gold prices are surging, but in much of Latin America, mining brings not prosperity but violence, corruption, and destruction. To hear stories of blood gold in Colombia, check out our investigative podcast series, the Shadow of El Dorado: bit.ly/49R0LFL
🇨🇴 | One year ago, clashes between the ELN and 33rd Front FARC dissidents erupted in Catatumbo. Violence has surged, displacing thousands, leaving hundreds dead and turning this coca cultivation hub into a de facto war zone. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3dkFk53
January 17, 2026 at 12:30 AM
🇨🇴 | One year ago, clashes between the ELN and 33rd Front FARC dissidents erupted in Catatumbo. Violence has surged, displacing thousands, leaving hundreds dead and turning this coca cultivation hub into a de facto war zone. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3dkFk53
This week in On the Radar: Despite a slight rapprochement, tensions persist between the United States and Mexico, while violence on the border between Colombia and Venezuela intensifies and Europe reports record cocaine seizures. Learn more here: http://y2u.be/4_d6bWV83Ys
January 16, 2026 at 11:02 PM
This week in On the Radar: Despite a slight rapprochement, tensions persist between the United States and Mexico, while violence on the border between Colombia and Venezuela intensifies and Europe reports record cocaine seizures. Learn more here: http://y2u.be/4_d6bWV83Ys
For decades, Colombia was the cornerstone of the US anti-drug strategy. Today, that relationship is fractured. This week, in #NarratedStories, we explain why, without Colombia, there can be no war on drugs. Listen here: https://bit.ly/4pYwqtX
January 16, 2026 at 8:31 PM
For decades, Colombia was the cornerstone of the US anti-drug strategy. Today, that relationship is fractured. This week, in #NarratedStories, we explain why, without Colombia, there can be no war on drugs. Listen here: https://bit.ly/4pYwqtX
🇻🇪 | Following former President Nicolás Maduro’s arrest by the United States, the colectivos that have defended the Chavista regime for decades took to the streets. How much influence will these criminal groups have in the new power struggle in Venezuela? Read more: https://bit.ly/4qbserp
January 16, 2026 at 7:01 PM
🇻🇪 | Following former President Nicolás Maduro’s arrest by the United States, the colectivos that have defended the Chavista regime for decades took to the streets. How much influence will these criminal groups have in the new power struggle in Venezuela? Read more: https://bit.ly/4qbserp
🇨🇴 | The Supreme Court of Justice of Colombia approved the extradition of several Colombian members of the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC), including their commander, alias “Chiquito Malo.” Read our profile here: https://bit.ly/4qOOMy1
January 16, 2026 at 6:02 PM
🇨🇴 | The Supreme Court of Justice of Colombia approved the extradition of several Colombian members of the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC), including their commander, alias “Chiquito Malo.” Read our profile here: https://bit.ly/4qOOMy1
🇲🇽 | The Jalisco New Generation Cartel was recently targeted by Mexican authorities with the capture of four key members in Nayarit and Jalisco. At InSight Crime, we have closely followed the expansion and diversification of this group. To learn more, see our archive: https://bit.ly/4dxP1a1
January 16, 2026 at 5:04 PM
🇲🇽 | The Jalisco New Generation Cartel was recently targeted by Mexican authorities with the capture of four key members in Nayarit and Jalisco. At InSight Crime, we have closely followed the expansion and diversification of this group. To learn more, see our archive: https://bit.ly/4dxP1a1
🇲🇽 | Last year, news of the discovery of Rancho Izaguirre, a CJNG forced recruitment center, spread around the world. The search group that found it claims that Mexican authorities have abandoned the investigation. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4c7u0DR
January 16, 2026 at 3:30 PM
🇲🇽 | Last year, news of the discovery of Rancho Izaguirre, a CJNG forced recruitment center, spread around the world. The search group that found it claims that Mexican authorities have abandoned the investigation. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4c7u0DR
🇪🇨 | Venezuela has long been a haven for organized crime. In the new post-Maduro scenario, these are the five groups that will play the biggest roles in shaping the country’s criminal future: https://bit.ly/3N7tFZv
January 16, 2026 at 2:02 PM
🇪🇨 | Venezuela has long been a haven for organized crime. In the new post-Maduro scenario, these are the five groups that will play the biggest roles in shaping the country’s criminal future: https://bit.ly/3N7tFZv
🇪🇨 | An operation by Ecuadorian and Colombian authorities resulted in the capture of 15 people, including alias “Quevedo,” an alleged leader of the Choneros crime group. Read more about the Choneros and their rise to power in Ecuador: https://bit.ly/4aWWP7q
January 15, 2026 at 9:30 PM
🇪🇨 | An operation by Ecuadorian and Colombian authorities resulted in the capture of 15 people, including alias “Quevedo,” an alleged leader of the Choneros crime group. Read more about the Choneros and their rise to power in Ecuador: https://bit.ly/4aWWP7q
🇨🇴 | Two women were kidnapped by the ELN accused of being informants for FARC dissidents in Tibú, Colombia. For years, the women have been caught in the middle of disputes between armed groups in Catatumbo. Read our investigation here: https://bit.ly/3CymfsR
January 15, 2026 at 8:01 PM
🇨🇴 | Two women were kidnapped by the ELN accused of being informants for FARC dissidents in Tibú, Colombia. For years, the women have been caught in the middle of disputes between armed groups in Catatumbo. Read our investigation here: https://bit.ly/3CymfsR
Gold prices are hitting record highs, but to meet demand, Latin American mining communities pay a price in blood. For tales from the forgotten corners of the global supply chain, listen to our investigative podcast, the Shadow of El Dorado: bit.ly/49R0LFL
January 15, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Gold prices are hitting record highs, but to meet demand, Latin American mining communities pay a price in blood. For tales from the forgotten corners of the global supply chain, listen to our investigative podcast, the Shadow of El Dorado: bit.ly/49R0LFL
🇪🇨 | How much do you know about the main criminal actors in Venezuela? Learn more about five of the most important groups that will shape the post-Maduro underworld: https://bit.ly/3N7tFZv
January 15, 2026 at 5:02 PM
🇪🇨 | How much do you know about the main criminal actors in Venezuela? Learn more about five of the most important groups that will shape the post-Maduro underworld: https://bit.ly/3N7tFZv
🇵🇪 | Transport company workers in Lima, Peru have called a strike amid a wave of ongoing extortion. What other security issues does President José Jerí face? http://bit.ly/4oLa133
January 15, 2026 at 4:03 PM
🇵🇪 | Transport company workers in Lima, Peru have called a strike amid a wave of ongoing extortion. What other security issues does President José Jerí face? http://bit.ly/4oLa133
🇭🇳 | An independent group of experts concluded that a criminal network diverted 67% of the more than $18.5 million provided by development banks for a dam project in Honduras to pay for illegal surveillance, armed incursions, and the murder of Berta Cáceres: https://bit.ly/4sJiUNl
January 15, 2026 at 3:02 PM
🇭🇳 | An independent group of experts concluded that a criminal network diverted 67% of the more than $18.5 million provided by development banks for a dam project in Honduras to pay for illegal surveillance, armed incursions, and the murder of Berta Cáceres: https://bit.ly/4sJiUNl
🇻🇪 | The United States has accused former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as heading a corrupt network within Venezuela’s government. But he was not the architect of Venezuelan state corruption. Which other figures played an important role? https://bit.ly/45cqV38
January 15, 2026 at 2:02 PM
🇻🇪 | The United States has accused former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as heading a corrupt network within Venezuela’s government. But he was not the architect of Venezuelan state corruption. Which other figures played an important role? https://bit.ly/45cqV38
🇨🇴 | The death of alias “Santiago,” the main coordinator of the ELN’s criminal and drug trafficking apparatus in western Colombia, weakens the group in its dispute with the Clan del Golfo for control of Chocó. Learn more about the history of the ELN here: https://bit.ly/3dkFk53
January 15, 2026 at 1:03 PM
🇨🇴 | The death of alias “Santiago,” the main coordinator of the ELN’s criminal and drug trafficking apparatus in western Colombia, weakens the group in its dispute with the Clan del Golfo for control of Chocó. Learn more about the history of the ELN here: https://bit.ly/3dkFk53
🇨🇴 | In Tibú, Colombia, two women were kidnapped and released by the ELN guerrilla group. The group accused the women of being informants for FARC dissidents. This situation is not new in the area. Read more in our investigation.
The Informants of Tibú: How the Colombian State Unleashed a Wave of Femicides
In Tibú, dozens of women were killed, threatened, and displaced after guerrillas found out security forces were using them as informants.
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 2:02 AM
🇨🇴 | In Tibú, Colombia, two women were kidnapped and released by the ELN guerrilla group. The group accused the women of being informants for FARC dissidents. This situation is not new in the area. Read more in our investigation.