Central America News

Costa Rica Crime Profile: Criminal Groups, Security Forces, the Judicial System, and Prisons

Costa Rica has traditionally been perceived as a bastion of security in crime-ravaged Central America. In recent years, however, the country has experienced record levels of violence, which authorities have blamed on its growing role as a drug transshipment point. Local crime groups are growing evermore sophisticated and resorting to lethal violence to secure … Read more

Guatemala Crime Profile: Analyzing Criminal Groups, Security Forces, the Judicial System, and Prisons

Guatemala’s criminal organizations are among the most sophisticated in Central America. Some of them have been in operation for decades. They include former members of the military, intelligence agencies, active members of the police, public officials, and drug traffickers. In the political sphere, state-embedded corruption networks continue to tighten their grip on the political and … Read more

Nicaragua Crime Profile: Examining Criminal Groups, Security Forces, the Judicial System, and Prisons

Nicaragua has long been one of the least violent countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Although some local gangs and at least one transnational criminal organization have a foothold there, so far the country has not experienced the high homicide rates common in its Central American neighbors. Nevertheless, traffickers have taken advantage of Nicaragua’s … Read more