Weekly InSight | Haiti in Crisis

This week, InSight Crime broke down the modus operandi and structure of Haiti’s 400 Mawozo gang after it abducted 17 people from a US missionary group in Haiti. We also looked at how the brazen daylight kidnapping -- followed a day later by the country’s most powerful gang boss forcing the prime minister to flee a ceremony -- underscores the vast control criminal gangs wield in the country.

In addition, we report on the fallout from the extradition of accused money launderer and President Nicolás Maduro ally Álex Saab; Sinaloa Cartel gunmen going on a shooting spree of security cameras; El Salvador’s Bitcoin bonuses being pilfered by hackers; and Venezuela’s premier gang, Tren de Aragua, is emerging in Chile.

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

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OCTOBER 20, 2021
VICE

"Today, roughly a third of the cocaine produced in Colombia passes through Ecuador, according to estimates from InSight Crime."

InSight Crime’s investigation into the battle for the Venezuelan border state of Apure resonated in both Colombian and Venezuelan media. A dozen outlets picked up the report, including Venezuela’s La Patilla. Meanwhile InSight Crime Co-director Jeremy McDermott was interviewed by Colombian outlets, LA FM and NTN24, speaking at length about the investigation, which examines how some of Colombia’s ex-rebel fighters have become unwelcome and dangerous guests in the neighboring country. The investigation also generated interest online among country watchers, including noted Colombian journalist Mábel Lara.

The four-part series details the conflict between the Venezuelan military and the 10th Front, a dissident faction of the now-demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – FARC). To produce the report, InSight Crime traveled to Apure to speak with residents, families of missing soldiers, local politicians, religious leaders, and human rights workers.

McDermott says the Apure investigation may give a glimpse of the future in Venezuela, as armed groups, previously allied with the regime of President Nicolás Maduro, are increasingly defying the government to keep their criminal earnings.

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