Weekly InSight
June 30, 2023 ([link removed])

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This week, InSight Crime published a new three-part investigation ([link removed]) about how, for decades, organized crime in Mexico has been strengthened by failed US immigration strategies. Criminal groups operating on the US-Mexico border have expanded their repertoire of extortion and kidnapping migrants to include human trafficking, which, due to the United State’s “prevention through deterrence” approach, has become one of their most lucrative criminal industries.

In Venezuela, we explored how criminal groups are impacting the recovery of the country’s oil industry ([link removed]) . After the first round of presidential elections in Guatemala this week, we assessed the surprising results ([link removed]) : Bernardo Arévalo, a center-left candidate from outside the country’s corrupt political establishment, secured a place in the second round on August 20.

Additionally, we reviewed the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s publication of the World Drug Report 2023 and its findings on synthetic drug production ([link removed]) in Latin America and the Caribbean. We also analyzed how the government in Honduras is cracking down on criminal groups but ignoring ([link removed]) other factors that lead to violence in the country.

Finally, we examined how criminal groups use violence and power to manipulate elections ([link removed]) in Mexico and Brazil and the potential impact of the first-ever criminal charges ([link removed]) brought by the United States against Chinese companies for trafficking precursor chemicals to produce fentanyl.


** Featured
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** How US Immigration Policy Foments Organized Crime on the US-Mexico Border ([link removed])
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Since the mid-1990s, the US government has relied on an immigration strategy deemed "prevention through deterrence." The idea was simple: If you make it more difficult for people to cross into the United States, then the number who tried would dwindle.

However, the policies have had numerous unintended consequences, including bolstering criminal organizations along the US-Mexico border. Today, human smuggling has transformed into one of the most lucrative industries for crime groups, which have diversified beyond their traditional criminal activities of smuggling drugs and weapons.

Read the full investigation > ([link removed])


** NewsAnalysis
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All News ([link removed]) >
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** Theft and Corruption Hinder Venezuela's Oil Industry ([link removed])
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Oil production in Venezuela has recently picked up after years of decline. But increasing criminal activity around the industry...

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** Latin American Synthetic Drug Consumption Remains Modest: UNODC ([link removed])
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The production of synthetic drugs has increased worldwide, but consumer markets in Latin America and the Caribbean remain...

US Indicts Chinese Companies in New Approach to Fighting Precursor Chemicals ([link removed])
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Crime Groups Drive Pre-Election Violence in Mexico, Brazil: Study ([link removed])
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Historic Guatemala Elections Poised to Rattle Corrupt Establishment ([link removed])
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Honduras Anti-Gang Crackdown Targets Only One Source of Violence ([link removed])
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Sinaloa's Rat, Jalisco's Rooster: The Evolution of Cartel Patches in Mexico ([link removed])


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


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Our recent coverage of synthetic drugs expands on the topics presented in the UNODC’s latest World Drug Report.

What factors affect the market for synthetic drugs in Latin America? Why, despite a global increase in synthetic drugs, does that market remain small-scale ([link removed]) ? Which synthetic drugs are most consumed in Latin America and how are different criminal organizations involved in producing them?
Read our coverage on synthetic drugs > ([link removed])

Read our recent investigation on precursor chemicals > ([link removed])


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

Browse by country > ([link removed])
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** CJNG ([link removed])
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The Jalisco Cartel New Generation (Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación - CJNG) is a criminal group that has evolved as...
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** Barrio 18 ([link removed])
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The 18th Street Gang, also known as Barrio 18, is one of the largest youth gangs in the Western Hemisphere, much like...


** Media Mentions
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About Us ([link removed])
JUNE 22, 2023
SKY NEWS ([link removed])

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"According to InSight Crime, the 18th Street Gang, also known as Barrio 18 is one of the largest youth gangs. They first emerged as a small-time street gang in Los Angeles."
Read Barrio 18's profile > ([link removed])


** Our Trending Topics
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US/MEXICO BORDER ([link removed])
SYNTHETIC DRUGS ([link removed])
ELITES AND CRIME ([link removed])

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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.
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