Latest Latin America News & Archive

Latin America

Sheinbaum's Cooperation With U.S. Could Backfire After El Mencho's Killing, Analyst Says: 'I Don't Know If She Wanted to Go as Far'

The weight of the operation carries broader consequences, including renewed scrutiny of the security policy under President Claudia Sheinbaum and her willingness to meet the demands of President Donald Trump.

Initials of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) on Michoacan Wall

Latin America

Tens Of Inmates Escaped From Puerto Vallarta Prison Following 'El Mencho's' Killing

As reported by Mexican media, the escape occurred Feb. 22, the same day as the operation to capture El Mencho when armed groups stormed the prison and rammed the main gate with a vehicle.

Latin America

Jalisco Cartel Financial Operator Used Dozens of Shell Companies to Expand Criminal Empire: Report

Álvarez González and his network of shell companies flourished between 2018 and 2024, during the presidency of Andrés Manuel López Obrador. During that period, he established 45% of the companies he allegedly used to launder money for the Jalisco cartel.

Latin America

Expert Says El Mencho's Death Could Turn Jalisco Cartel Into a 'Wounded Beast' With Multiple Splintering Factions

Mexico's top security official, Omar García Harfuch, confirmed El Mencho's death and said the operation triggered reprisals by the cartel in 11 states, including 85 highway blockades and 70 arrests.

Latin America

Living Conditions in Cuba Worsen as U.S. Oil Blockade Continues, Reserves May Run Dry 'Within Weeks'

The Trump administration's cutoff of oil shipments to the island has escalated the already precarious situation to levels rarely seen before, and with each passing day the crisis appears to deteriorate.

Latin America

Claudia Sheinbaum Says Extradition Requests Are Underway for U.S. Citizens in Mexican Fuel Theft Case

Sheinbaum said the Attorney General's Office is responsible for providing information within the framework of the investigation, including the names of the businesspeople involved.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez

Latin America

Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodríguez For Now Managing To Walk Fine Line Between Demands From U.S. and Regime Loyalists

Experts say interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez is navigating U.S. pressure while maintaining support from Maduro loyalists and the military after Maduro's capture.

Latin America

Legendary Surfer Kurt Van Dyke Killed in Costa Rica During Home Invasion

California surfing figure Kurt Van Dyke, 66, a longtime resident of Costa Rica known for his deep ties to the global surf community, was murdered in a violent home invasion that has left friends, family and the Caribbean coast community reeling.

Latin America

U.S. Managing and Distributing Revenue From Venezuelan Oil Sales, Report Says

U.S. authorities announced on Jan. 14 that the first sale of Venezuelan crude had generated $500 million, but contrary to Trump's comments, the revenue has remained under U.S. control.

Latin America

Massive Fire Breaks Out at Cuba's Largest Oil Refinery as Island Faces Deepening Energy Crisis

A masive fire broke out Friday afternoon at the Ñico López oil refinery in Havana Bay, sending a towering plume of black smoke into the sky and raising alarms in a city already grappling with severe fuel shortages and economic strain.

Latin America

President Claudia Sheinbaum Invites Nearly 20 U.S. Navy SEALs to Train Mexican Military Forces

The Navy SEALs visit comes at the invitation of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has publicly emphasized her goal of better preparing Mexican military and law enforcement personnel to combat drug cartel violence.

Latin America

Mexican Mayor Accused of Extorting Tequila Companies Along With Cartels is Formally Charged With Kidnapping

A Mexican judge formally charged the mayor of Tequila, Diego Rivera Navarro on accusations of organized crime and the 2021 kidnapping of two mayoral candidates.

Latin America

Mexican Navy Dismantles 10 Criminal Camps as Search for Missing Sinaloa Workers Drags On

The camps appear to be part of the infrastructure used by organized crime, adding weight to the idea that the workers' disappearance is tied to drug trafficking violence in Sinaloa.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

Latin America

Venezuelan Regime Sent Suitcases of Cash to Fund One Of López Obrador's Presidential Campaigns In Mexico: Report

The former Mexican president has for years denied receiving money either from drug cartels or from Venezuela to fund his 2006 campaign.

Latin America

Mexican Mayor Arrested for Alleged Links to Jalisco Cartel and Extorting Tequila Companies

Diego Rivera Navarro took office in October 2024 after running as a candidate for Morena, Mexico's ruling party and the same party as President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has repeatedly denied that members of her party have ties to organized crime.

Latin America

Girlfriend Of Canadian Mining Company Worker Kidnapped in Sinaloa Heard Him Get Taken By Cartel On The Phone

According to testimony from Damaris Osorio, cousin of Pablo Osorio Sánchez, a 26-year-old civil engineer, he was at a bus stop along the Durango-Mazatlán highway waiting for transportation to the Concordia area when he was kidnapped.