Weekly InSight
April 14, 2023 ([link removed])

View in your browser ([link removed])
This week, InSight Crime investigates the mysterious disappearance ([link removed]) of the contraband fuel market in Zulia, Venezuela’s most populous state. Despite being oil-rich, for years Zulia’s inhabitants relied on pimpineros hocking contraband gas to avoid hours-long queues at subsidized gas stations. Then, one day, the queues were gone. And so was the black market.

We also focus on Paraguay, looking at its vital role in cocaine trafficking to Europe ([link removed]) despite not being a cocaine producer, and why the 36th iteration of a hugely successful marijuana eradication operation makes virtually no difference ([link removed]) to cultivation of the crop on the country’s border with Brazil.

And we turn our attention to Ecuador, where President Guillermo Lasso is fighting the country’s escalating crisis of insecurity by permitting citizens to carry weapons ([link removed]) . Has allowing more arms ever been the answer to violence?

Lastly, we question whether a series of cocaine seizures in Russia ([link removed]) suggests the country is being used as a new route into Europe.


** Featured
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]


** Inside the Evaporating Black Market for Gasoline in Zulia, Venezuela ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

The black market for gasoline is quickly disappearing in Venezuela's oil-rich state of Zulia as changing government policies and supply increases chip away at one of the state's biggest criminal economies.

Gas stations in the northeastern state maintained short, orderly lines when InSight Crime traveled to Zulia's capital earlier this year. Obtaining fuel required no covert stops at the houses of black-market vendors, known as pimpineros, nor were their stalls anywhere to be found.

Read the investigation > ([link removed])
[link removed]


** NewsAnalysis
------------------------------------------------------------
All News ([link removed]) >
[link removed]


** Paraguay Shown as Key Link in Bolivia-Europe Cocaine Route ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Authorities in South America and Europe have dealt a blow to a trans-Atlantic drug trafficking network in an operation that has underlined ...

[link removed]


** Ecuador Eases Access to Guns Amid Spike in Violence ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Ecuador is allowing civilians to carry guns in response to growing insecurity, potentially worsening the country's violence by giving...

Paraguay Anti-Marijuana Operations Barely Dent Production in Amambay ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Russia Emerges as Alternative Route for Cocaine Headed to Europe ([link removed])


** Impact
------------------------------------------------------------
What We Do ([link removed])


** Media Looks to InSight Crime for Ecuador Knowledge
------------------------------------------------------------

As Ecuador’s security crisis worsens, global media outlets have called on InSight Crime to provide expert knowledge on the criminal dynamics fueling the growing criminality.

Americas Quarterly cited our work on Ecuador several times ([link removed]) in its piece linking Albanian syndicates to Ecuadorian crime. Infobae ([link removed]) also picked up our coverage, while El País ([link removed]) referenced our work in a piece on regional insecurity.

Read the article on Ecuador > ([link removed])

Meanwhile, at the end of March, Colombia’s Ombudsman's Office referenced ([link removed]) our work three times when issuing a temporary risk report.
Read our Colombia coverage here > ([link removed])


** Criminal Actors
------------------------------------------------------------
Profiles of some of the notable criminal personalities and groups that have marked this week.

Browse by country > ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Rotela Clan ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Rotela Clan is a criminal group run by the Rotela family in Paraguay. It was originally specialized...
[link removed]


** Lobos ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
The Lobos have emerged as Ecuador's second-largest mega-gang, with over 8,000 members spread...


** Media Mentions
------------------------------------------------------------
About Us ([link removed])
April 8, 2023
EL PAÍS ([link removed])

[link removed]
"The only exception is El Salvador, where, according to InSight Crime, 'the government’s direct offensive against gangs has caused a drastic reduction in homicide rates, although presumably at the cost of systematic human rights violations.'"
Read the cited article > ([link removed])


** Our Trending Topics
------------------------------------------------------------
Browse by Country ([link removed])
VENEZUELA ([link removed])
PARAGUAY ([link removed])
CONTRABAND ([link removed])
COCAINE EUROPE ([link removed])

============================================================
We go into the field to interview, report and investigate. We then verify, write and edit, providing the tools to generate real impact in fighting organized crime.
** SUPPORT OUR WORK ([link removed])
** DONATE TODAY ([link removed])
** Facebook InSight Crime ([link removed])
** Twitter InSight Crime ([link removed])
** LinkedIn InSight Crime ([link removed])
** Subscribe ([link removed])
** View past issues ([link removed])

InSight Crime is sponsored by:
** American University ([link removed])

** Open Society Foundations ([link removed])

** The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency ([link removed])
Copyright © 2021 InSight Crime, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you have signed up to receive InSight Crime's top weekly content.
** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
** update subscription preferences ([link removed])

This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
InSight Crime . Medellin . Medellin 0000 . Colombia