South America

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Tren de Aragua’s Expansion in Brazil: Criminal Adaptation, Strategic Alliances, and a New Security Challenge

The expansion of Tren de Aragua (TdA), the Venezuelan criminal organization that consolidated in Tocorón prison during the 2010s, has now reached Brazil. Designated a transnational terrorist organization by several countries in the region, the group is currently present across much of the hemisphere, as well as in Europe. Initially, the group established itself along the border in the state…

Central America

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Panama Strengthens Maritime, Border, and Cybersecurity Capabilities with US Support

Panama continues to strengthen its security forces’ ability to monitor its land borders, maritime domain, and digital networks in a more coordinated manner to counter threats posed by transnational organized crime. As part of that effort, the United States delivered more than $5 million in maritime, border, and cybersecurity equipment in June to Panama’s National Border Service (SENAFRONT) and National…

Caribbean

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Caribbean Integrates Citizen Reporting into Regional Intelligence

Criminal organizations operating in the Caribbean exploit maritime routes, illicit markets, and multiple jurisdictions to move drugs, weapons, and other illegal goods. Against networks that operate across national borders, information provided by local communities can become an operational asset when it is protected, evaluated, and connected with data from other countries. With that goal in mind, the Caribbean Community Implementation…

Spotlight Interviews

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Academia

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Advanced Capabilities Needed to Counter China-Russia Space Weapon Cooperation

This article was originally published on U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Magazine Forum, on August 3, 2026. China and Russia are expanding cooperation on space capabilities to degrade, disrupt or destroy military satellites as well as commercial constellations such as SpaceX’s Starlink. Beijing and Moscow are sharing expertise, coordinating policies and investing in counterspace options that go beyond traditional anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles.…

Branching Out: Latin American Drug Cartels Expand into Other Illegal Schemes

This article was originally published in U.S. Northern Command’s Magazine The Watch, on July 2, 2026. Latin America’s transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) have been diversifying, finding new ways to make money in addition to producing, selling, and transporting illicit drugs. The many tentacles of their businesses extend to human trafficking and migration; illegal logging, fishing and gold mining; protection rackets;…

Special Report

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Ecuador at the Crossroads of Transnational Crime: Violence, Criminal Reconfiguration, and Regional Challenges – PART II

For decades, Ecuador was perceived as an exception in a region plagued by drug trafficking, armed violence, and criminal capture of the state. While neighboring countries faced open wars between cartels and state forces, Ecuador seemed to remain on the sidelines of these dynamics. That image began to slowly crack and finally collapsed in January 2024, when President Daniel Noboa…

Photo Galleries

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