Weekly InSight | Organized Crime Ghosts Return to Old Haunts

This week, InSight Crime delved into why the Shining Path chose to commit a violent massacre in Peru in the run-up to presidential elections, after years of relative quiet.

In El Salvador, the trial of Texis Cartel leader, Chepe Diablo, had a disappointing but all too predictable end. In Guatemala, one of the final members of Los Leones showed the power his family name could still muster. And in Turkey, the confessions of a mafia boss may have unveiled an unknown Venezuela cocaine connection.

Elsewhere, a Mexico corruption investigation has Enrique Peña Nieto worried, the heavy toll paid by Latin America's crime reporters is revealed and smuggling wine has proven to be especially lucrative in Argentina.

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

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MAY 25, 2021
BLOOMBERG

"(The violence) appears to be a desperate attempt by the remnants of the Shining Path to have some kind of relevance in the lead up to elections in Peru."

Co-Director Jeremy McDermott on the Shining Path massacre in Peru.

Two new projects will enhance InSight Crime’s capacity to investigate organized crime, especially in Haiti and Costa Rica.

Firstly, InSight Crime is working with USAID to look at the criminal landscape in Haiti, as the country suffers yet more political instability and is rapidly turning into the kidnap capital of the region. This will allow us to profile the actors and groups driving the country’s violence and look at their ties to political groups and elements of the state.

Secondly, InSight Crime is delighted to announce an alliance with the University for Peace in Costa Rica. Established by the United Nations, this institution seeks to reduce obstacles and threats to world peace and progress. This partnership will not only complement InSight Crime’s research methodology and expertise on Costa Rica, but will see us get involved in developing curricular activities, select interns from the student body and organize conferences. This strengthens InSight Crime’s longstanding relationship with academic institutions. We have long maintained offices at American University in Washington DC and Universidad del Rosario in Colombia, as well as a partnership with Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico.

Featured

Peru Massacre Highlights Desperation of Weakened Shining Path Rebels

NewsAnalysis

Mexico’s Unreachable Elites Targeted by Rare Corruption Investigation

Chepe Diablo, Long Accused Cartel Leader, Let Off the Hook in El Salvador

Criminal Actors

Shining Path

Chepe Diablo

Media Mentions

Impact

InSight Crime Building Further Alliances

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