Laura Calderon Fuentes is the Assistant Research Manager at the South America desk at ACLED. She has been with the organization since October 2021 and has previously worked as a researcher for the South America team sourcing and coding for different countries, primarily Colombia. Laura holds a BA in International Relations with a focus on Security, Peace, and Conflict from the Rosario University in Bogota and a Specialization Degree in Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law from the same University.
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.
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.
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.
Anti-gang operations in Haiti escalated around Port-au-Prince, the killing of a mayor in Mexico triggered protests, and the Trump administration doubled down its pressure on Maduro.
An operation against the CV gang killed at least 121 people in Rio de Janeiro, gangs expanded across multiple areas in Artibonite, Haiti, and US strikes on vessels in the Pacific fueled diplomatic tensions.
Brazilians protested amid Bolsonaro’s sentencing, Argentines protested Milei’s policies and corruption, and the Viv Ansanm alliance expanded its operations in Haiti.
In May 2025, inter- and intra-gang disputes drove an uptick in violence in the Guatemala department, violence targeting politicians intensifies in Veracruz state and Mexico City, Mexico, and gang violence in Haiti declines in frequency but increases in lethality.
