Current Events
The US-Mexico Border Under Trump: What Trump’s Harsh Immigration Policy Means for the Border’s Crime
President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to clamp down on undocumented migrants could play into the hands of criminal groups who stand to profit from higher prices and fresh opportunities if the chaos and confusion expected from his second administration transpire. While the specifics of Trump’s migrant policy are not yet known, the broad strokes appear … Read more
Ecuador Crime Profile: A Deep Dive into Criminal Networks, Prisons, and the Justice System
Ecuador is one of the region’s most significant drug trafficking hubs, used to dispatch Colombian and Peruvian cocaine to Europe, Mexico, and Central America. It has long been the site of operations for Mexican, Colombian, and European drug trafficking organizations, and Colombian guerrilla groups in its northern border … Read more
Dominican Republic Breaks Seizure Record Amid Surge in Caribbean Drug Trafficking
Record-breaking cocaine seizures in the Dominican Republic highlight the resurgence of the Caribbean as a major trafficking route to Europe amid unprecedented cocaine production in Colombia. Over 30 tons of cocaine have been seized in the Dominican Republic so far this year, surpassing the 18 tons confiscated in 2023 and the … Read more
Latin America: Who wins and who loses after Trump’s victory?
On January 20, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump will assume office again and face familiar but evolving challenges in Latin America. Two of these challenges stand out. First, the decline of U.S. influence in the world. This tendency is confirmed in Latin America, where China and Russia are strengthening their foothold. China‘s investments in infrastructure, technology, and … Read more
The Alarming Decline of Women’s Rights Across Latin America’s Political Spectrum
The Argentine government closed the Ministry of Women, Gender, and Diversity. It closed it. It did not downgrade it, or merely modify its organizational chart. President Javier Milei took office in December 2023 and kept his promise to eliminate it. He then opened the Sub-Secretariat of Protection against Gender Violence, under the Ministry of Human Capital … Read more
U.S. Congressman James P. McGovern Criticizes El Salvador’s State of Exception
U.S. Congressman James P. McGovern concluded his visit to El Salvador with sharp criticism of the Bukele’s administration state of exception, which he accused of violating human rights and fostering an environment of intimidation and self-censorship. During his visit, McGovern, … Read more
The Impact of the Colombia-Venezuela Border Reopening on Smuggling Dynamics
As darkness falls over Cúcuta, Colombia’s bustling border city, shadows provide cover for criminal networks. Each night, illegal dirt tracks connecting the city to Venezuela become highways for smuggling, with large quantities of goods slipping past law enforcement. “While we sleep, countless things happen in the city. And yes, smuggling is one of … Read more