This week, InSight Crime analyzes the most pressing organized crime issues that are awaiting Argentina’s newly-elected president, Javier Milei.
** Weekly InSight
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November 24, 2023
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This week, InSight Crime analyzes ([link removed]) the most pressing organized crime issues that are awaiting Argentina’s newly-elected president, Javier Milei. The borders with Bolivia and Paraguay have long been important corridors for smuggling cocaine and marijuana, and the presence of international ports have made the country an attractive hub for drug smuggling. But Argentina must also tackle corruption and money laundering to achieve long-lasting security gains.
Our on-the-ground reporting delves ([link removed]) into Sásabe, a small town near the US border in Mexico’s state of Sonora, where two factions of the Sinaloa Cartel ([link removed]) are battling over the control of migrant smuggling. In June, the Chapitos ([link removed]) banned all fentanyl production in Sinaloa, pushing criminal groups to fight over other lucrative economies and exposing civilians to new levels of violence.
And in Peru, we explore ([link removed]) how the Shining Path ([link removed]) is staying afloat amid the recent arrests of key members. The rebel group and its remnants have long been in control of the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers region, which is Peru’s primary coca growing hotspot. Even if authorities’ continued operations are successful, criminal presence is likely to remain in the region, profiting from coca cultivation, illegal logging, and extortion.
In Haiti, we analyze ([link removed]) how the death of ”Black Alex Mana,” leader of the Belekou gang, could impact the future of the country’s most powerful gang alliance, the G9 ([link removed]) .
Finally, we assess ([link removed]) the implications of a drug laboratory bust in Portugal and what this means for the future of cocaine production in Europe.
** Featured
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** Organized Crime Challenges Awaiting Argentina’s New President ([link removed])
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Javier Milei emerged victorious in Argentina’s presidential elections yesterday on promises of extreme free-market reforms and tough-on-crime security policies.
An economist and far-right political newcomer, Milei has sparked controversy for espousing extreme proposals like destroying the central bank, legalizing the sale of organs, and loosening gun restrictions. Although he distanced himself from these positions after coming second in the first round of elections, experts warn that Milei’s drastic policies could actually make things worse — if he is even able to pass major laws despite a lack of political allies.
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** Sonora, Mexico Under Siege Amid Sinaloa Cartel Battle Over Migrant Smuggling ([link removed])
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On a recent November evening, residents of Sásabe, a small outpost on the US-Mexico border, received threatening messages warning of an impending attack. The next morning, they awoke to several houses engulfed in flames and dozens of men with high-powered weapons shooting at each other around the main plaza.
Hours later, nearly 100 locals, among them elderly men and women and young children, took off for the US-Mexico border. They found a hole in the border fence, crossed into the United States, and pleaded with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials to protect them.
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** Portugal Drug Lab Bust Reveals Beginnings of Cocaine Production ([link removed])
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What is believed to be the largest cocaine production laboratory ever found in Portugal was recently…
Haiti Crime Boss’ Death Signals Possible Shift in Balance of Power ([link removed])
The future of Haiti’s most powerful gang alliance, the G9, is at risk following a series of deaths…
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** Fentanyl Seizures on US-Mexico Border at Record High Amid Production Ban ([link removed])
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Fentanyl seizures along the US-Mexico border have hit record highs, suggesting that, despite a supposed ban on production of the deadly…
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** DataInSights: 3 Factors Driving Child Recruitment in the Colombian Conflict ([link removed])
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As the Colombian government negotiates peace with some of the country’s largest armed actors, protecting the rights of children…
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** What’s Next For the Shining Path in Peru? ([link removed])
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The Peruvian government has arrested key members of the Shining Path rebel group, which continues to maintain its hold over the country’s crucial coca growing regions.
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** Official Uniforms Flood Venezuela’s Black Markets ([link removed])
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A striking number of security force uniforms are appearing on Venezuela’s illicit markets, becoming favored garb for criminals to commit crimes…
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Thinking about giving back this Thanksgiving? Consider supporting InSight Crime's mission to improve citizen security in Latin America and the Caribbean. We do this by going into the field to investigate organized crime and providing timely, insightful analysis that informs public policy on topics like migration, drug trafficking, and money laundering.
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Our investigator Victoria Dittmar was interviewed by CBC/Radio Canada in their documentary on human trafficking published ([link removed]) on November 17th. She discussed the role of different Mexican organized crime groups, who make billions of dollars smuggling migrants along the US-Mexico border.
Watch the documentary here > ([link removed])
Read our investigation on human trafficking on the US-Mexico border here > ([link removed])
** This Week's Criminal Group: Shining Path
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The Shining Path, or the Militarized Communist Party of Peru (Militarizado Partido Comunista de Peru – MPCP), is the last remnant of Peru’s communist guerrillas who fought against the state during the final decades of the 20th century.
Although the group has been weakened by the arrest of many of its top level leaders, the MPCP has maintained its hold on the VRAEM region, a strategic territory for coca cultivation, through alliances with drug traffickers and its participation in other criminal economies such as illegal logging.
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Read our Shining Path profile > ([link removed])
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R ([link removed]) ead our article “Shining Path on the Offensive in Peru, Again” > ([link removed])
** Media Mentions
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November 17, 2023
The Brazilian Report ([link removed])
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“ The Red Command, best known in Brazil by the acronym CV, has been described as a “sizable national and transnational threat” by InSight Crime, a think tank that conducts research on criminal organizations.”
Read our Red Command profile > ([link removed])
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