Deadly clashes broke out ahead of the presidential elections in Colombia, demonstrations over worsening humanitarian conditions took place in Cuba, and organized crime violence escalated in Honduras.
Trump's efforts to influence governments in the region in pursuit of his security strategy are effective, but unlikely to substantially curb organized crime and drug trafficking.
Violence surged in parts of Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Haiti, while concerns loom over possible electoral violence in Peru.
Watch the recorded conversation with regional experts as we examine how, over the years, one of Mexico’s most powerful cartels has transformed the country’s criminal landscape.
Criminal groups were behind much of the targeted violence on local authorities in Mexico and Brazil.
Demonstrations surged in Cuba and Venezuela, and Ecuadorian authorities stepped up operations against armed groups as tensions with Colombia increased.
The killing of CJNG leader El Mencho set off violence in Mexico, and armed group activity in Colombia could lead to violence around elections.
El Mencho’s death has unleashed nationwide cartel retaliation, raising concerns over escalating violence and shifting security dynamics in Mexico.
US-Venezuela relations thaw after the capture of Maduro, clashes between cartels led to a spike in criminal violence in Mexico, and Guatemala imposed a state of emergency.
The ELN in Colombia reacted to Trump’s threats with an armed strike, the turf war intensified between rival gangs in Ecuador’s Machala prison, and violence escalated in Sinaloa, Mexico.