ARTICLES
Solving Gang Violence in Central America's Northern Triangle
While touted as a holistic approach to the region's gang problem, the latest tri-national anti-crime initiative in Central America is unlikely to succeed, writes Lloyd Belton.
While touted as a holistic approach to the region's gang problem, the latest tri-national anti-crime initiative in Central America is unlikely to succeed, writes Lloyd Belton.
Although Colombia's Congress has now passed the renegotiated FARC peace deal, a number of significant hurdles remain before it can be implemented, writes Lloyd Belton.
As negotiations between opposition and government representatives look set to collapse, resolving Venezuela's political deadlock and growing economic problems largely depends on the military's next move, writes Lloyd Belton.
Significant improvements in the security environment are likely in Colombia, where, barring significant delays, the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) militant group is expected to demobilise in the first half of the year.
A severe economic crisis and intensifying organised crime turf war in Rio de Janeiro are likely to drive a further deterioration in the city's security environment, writes Lloyd Belton.
Trump's first few weeks in power have created significant economic turmoil south of the border, potentially tainting Mexico's investment outlook and fundamentally shaking up the country's political establishment, writes Lloyd Belton.
The Ejército de Liberación Nacional looks set to continue to rely on criminally and politically-motivated kidnappings to increase its bargaining power during ongoing peace talks, writes Lloyd Belton.
Sensing President Nicolás Maduro's delay tactics, opposition groups have refused to reopen negotiations with the government and have so far managed to sustain momentum during two months of countrywide protests aimed at forcing early elections. However, unless senior military officials defect and turn against Maduro, the political deadlock looks set…
Gang violence, turf wars and cargo theft are part of the cariocas' daily routine. The city that once projected improvement and hope, now lives under its own shadow, explains Fabrício Ivasse.
Lloyd Belton examines why spikes in crime and escalating gang wars in Brazil have not necessarily driven concurrent increases in kidnapping and extortion incidents, and how violence is shifting to the north of the country.
With the establishment of a new constituent assembly in Venezuela, Helena Maxwell explores how President Nicolás Maduro has further entrenched his position despite regional and international condemnation.