Regional Overview: Latin America & the Caribbean | March 2023

Haiti: Lethal clashes between gangs and civilian targeting drove an increase in violence in Ouest and Artibonite

Between 28 February and 6 March, approximately 70 fatalities were reported during clashes between members of the G-9 gang alliance and the Belair gang – an alleged member of the rival G-Pep alliance. The clashes drove a 60% increase in violence in Ouest department as a result of turf wars in the Bel Air and Solino neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince and the Delmas 24 and Delmas 2 neighborhoods in Delmas.¹ Meanwhile, clashes between the Titanyen gang and unidentified gang members on 11 March in Cabaret, Ouest, reportedly left at least 10 people dead. The killing of a political activist and alleged collaborator of the Titanyen gang reportedly triggered the clash.² Civilians targeting by gangs also grew deadlier in Artibonite and Ouest departments. In Artibonite, Baz Gran Grif de Savien members killed at least six people on 7 March in Saint-Marc, prompting the intervention of police and self-defense groups. In Ouest, the Vitelhomme gang killed more than 10 people in two separate attacks in Pétion-ville in retaliation for the lynching of at least four of their gang members by residents. The event comes amid the emergence of a growing number of self-defense groups in response to pervasive gang violence.³

Back to Map

Colombia: Gulf Clan ceasefire agreement broke down following weeks of violent demonstrations by informal miners

On 19 March, Colombian President Gustavo Petro suspended a ceasefire with the Gulf Clan.⁴ The decision comes amid accusations that the Gulf Clan had violated the agreement by instigating violence during an informal miners’ strike.⁵ The strike broke out on 2 March in response to military operations against informal mining in Antioquia’s Bajo Cauca region, where the Gulf Clan is thought to control illegal mining operations.⁶ Informal mining is a significant source of income for organized criminal groups.⁷ Violent demonstrations and armed group activity prompted the deployment of additional troops and the implementation of security measures in 12 municipalities in the Bajo Cauca, Northeast, and Northern subregions of the department.⁸ The ceasefire was an important part of President Petro’s ‘Total Peace’ policy, which aims to resume negotiations with armed groups and turn away from heavy-handed military operations.⁹ This approach was further jeopardized by ELN activity in Norte de Santander, with the killing of nine military officers on 29 March. The killings came only weeks after the government resumed ceasefire negotiations with the ELN.

Back to Map

El Salvador: The government announced a 12th extension of the state of emergency amid concerns of human rights violations

On 15 March, the Congress of El Salvador approved a 12th extension of the ongoing state of emergency. The extension marked a year since President Nayib Bukele’s government launched the measure, which expands police prerogatives and suspends several constitutional rights as part of anti-gang operations. While the measure has coincided with a decrease in violent activity, international and local organizations have denounced human rights violations and arbitrary detentions by the state, with over 60,000 suspected gang members arrested thus far during the state of emergency.¹⁰ Between February and March, the government transferred around 4,000 prisoners to a newly inaugurated ‘Terrorism Containment Center’ with a capacity to accommodate 40,000 inmates.¹¹ El Salvador’s heavy-handed response to tackle criminality has gained popularity in the region. In March, Honduras’ congress approved the extension of the state of exception – initially adopted in December 2022 – for another six months.¹² Meanwhile, in Ecuador, the government declared a state of exception in Guayas, Santa Elena, and Los Ríos provinces and has permitted civilians to carry and use firearms for personal defense.¹³

Back to Map

Mexico: Gang rivalries intensified amid intergang clashes and deadly attacks in Michoacán, Sonora, and Guanajuato states

Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) clashes with the Los Viagras gang and La Familia Michoacana – both members of the United Cartels – drove a twofold increase in armed clashes in Michoacán in March compared to the month prior. At least 12 people were reportedly killed during clashes in Buenavista, Uruapán, Tepalcatepec, Chinicuila, Susupuato, and Zitácuaro municipalities between the CJNG and members of the United Cartels alliance; the alliance was created to contain the CJNG’s expansion in northwestern Michoacán state.¹⁴ Meanwhile, in Guanajuato, the CJNG attacked a tourist center in Celaya municipality, reportedly leaving five people dead, while rivals affiliated with the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel reportedly killed 10 people in an attack in Apaseo el Grande. These attacks are related to disputes over controlling extortion and local drug markets in Guanajuato. 

Elsewhere, in Sonora, violence grew deadlier compared to the prior month. In Caborca municipality, seven people were reportedly killed in a clash between the Los Chapitos gang – an armed branch of the Sinaloa Cartel – and the Caborca Cartel. Los Chapitos gang has sought to seize control of drug trafficking routes connecting Caborca municipality to the border with the US, which are controlled by the Caborca Cartel.¹⁵

Back to Map

Nicaragua: Land conflicts intensified in the Bosawás Natural Reserve with attacks against Indigenous communities

Between 10 and 11 March, unidentified armed settlers kidnapped two Mayangna Indigenous people from the Wilú community and reportedly killed at least five others. During the attack, the settlers left threatening messages against the community and destroyed more than 50 houses, forcing at least 80 families to flee the area.¹⁶ Similarly, on 6 March, armed men injured three members of the Mayangna group from the Musawas community. These incidents occurred despite the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights issuing precautionary measures for the Mayangna group.¹⁷ Indigenous communities in the Bosawás Reserve have been frequently targeted by settlers who seek to control Indigenous communal lands for mining, logging, and agricultural activities. Local human rights organizations have denounced the lack of implementation of measures aimed at protecting Indigenous groups and the alleged collusion of settlers with the government of President Daniel Ortega.¹⁸ ACLED records dozens of attacks on Indigenous communities since starting coverage of Nicaragua in 2018, with most taking place in the eastern Costa Caribe region.

Back to Map

Brazil: Outbreak of gang violence in the state of Rio Grande do Norte

Since 14 March, numerous cities in the state of Rio Grande do Norte have experienced an increased number of coordinated acts of violence by armed members of the Sindicato do Crime gang. The attacks have seen gang members shooting and setting fire to municipal vehicles and buildings, military police battalions, and school buses, among other targets. The attacks come in retaliation to new regulations cracking down on criminal gangs within the prison system and as part of broader demands to improve prison living conditions.¹⁹ According to a federal anti-torture organization, prisoners in the state of Rio Grande do Norte have suffered numerous human rights violations, such as torture, the provision of spoiled food, and exposure to tuberculosis contaminations.²⁰ In response to the attacks, the state deployed federal, civil, and military police to the region, leading to the reported killing of at least four gang members. The Sindicato do Crime gang is a splinter group from the First Capital Command and has been operating in Rio Grande do Norte state for 10 years.²¹ Rio Grande do Norte is coveted by drug trafficking groups for its access to the Potiguar coast and trafficking routes to Europe and Africa.²²

Back to Map