Weekly InSight | Northern Mexico Burns, Ecuador Hit by Deadly Bombing

This week, InSight Crime investigates what was behind the wave of violence that swept across several northern states in Mexico. Innocent people were shot dead in the streets and vehicles set ablaze following a prison brawl in Chihuahua and clashes between security forces and the Jalisco Cartel New Generation (Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación - CJNG) near Guadalajara.

We also speak with Argentine judge, Sabrina Namer, about the impact of gender perspectives on the country’s criminal cases following her recent acquittal of 18 transgender women from drug trafficking charges. And in Ecuador, we look at the escalating use of explosive devices by gangs, following a deadly bombing in Guayaquil that Interior Minister Patricio Carrillo called “a declaration of war on the state.”

This week’s bombing in Guayaquil, Ecuador, which left at least five people dead and many others injured, was covered by media around the globe. Several outlets looked to InSight Crime for expert knowledge on the worsening security situation in Ecuador as gangs battling for control of key cocaine trafficking hubs step up their use of devastating violence.

The Washington Post cited our 2019 investigation on Ecuador becoming a “cocaine superhighway,” while the BBC and The Guardian both cited our coverage of the world’s most dangerous cities, in which Guayaquil placed fiftieth.

Additionally, InSight Crime Co-director Steven Dudley participated in a multi-party meeting at the invitation of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) to discuss US policy towards Guatemala. The meeting included experts, practitioners, US government authorities at the highest levels, and others. It covered ways in which the United States could better engage with Guatemala’s government and assist civil society groups in dealing with issues of corruption and organized crime.

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

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AUGUST 16, 2022
WASHINGTON POST

"The rivalry to control what nonprofit investigative outlet InSight Crime deemed ‘a cocaine superhighway to the US and Europe’ has unleashed devastating effects on Ecuador as gangs use brutal tactics to squash the competition."

Featured

What Can Be Learned from Mexico's Latest Wave of Attacks?

NewsAnalysis

Deadly Bomb Attack Deepens Ecuador's Struggle with Gangs

How a Gender Focus Impacts Argentina's Criminal Cases

Impact

Bombing Signals Intensification of Violence in Ecuador

Criminal Actors

Choneros

CJNG

Media Mentions

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