While organised crime is often thought to occur on the fringes of society, a combination of shifting trafficking routes, migration, and socio-economic challenges are increasingly facilitating gang rivalries that have driven brazen, often indiscriminate violence in tourist hubs and major urban centres, writes Erin Drake.
As violence and insecurity escalate in Haiti, aid workers and foreign nationals face mounting threats and challenges to operating in – or attempting to leave – the country, writes Erin Drake.
While a ceasefire agreement with the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) militant group signals a positive development in President Gustavo Petro’s peace plan, the six-month truce – and negotiations for the group’s eventual dismantlement – faces significant odds, writes Erin Drake.
As Peru experiences yet another cycle of demonstrations over its most recent leadership change, political infighting continues to hamper efforts to address the protesters' grievances. Erin Drake examines the recent unrest in Peru, and its impact on the commercial environment.
El Salvador’s crackdown on gangs has driven criminals to seek more permissible operating environments elsewhere in the region, and could strengthen extortion networks across Central America and Mexico over the coming year, write Erin Drake and Grace McEleny.
Violent protests triggered by the sentencing of opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, in June 2023 have raised concerns over the government’s growing clampdown on opposition, and incumbent President Macky Sall’s ambitions for a controversial third term in office. These factors could exacerbate anti-government sentiment and drive intensified unrest ahead…
With the recent attack on four US nationals in Tamaulipas attracting significant attention from the US government, media and public, concern over Mexico’s travel security environment is mounting. Erin Drake considers the current threat landscape, and argues that some of the regional drivers are likely to sustain – and in some cases escalate – the danger…
In 2022, countries faced geopolitical changes that have had disastrous consequences domestically, leading to economic crises, political turbulence, and social instability. Erin Drake writes that a combination of existing and emerging challenges will continue to drive unrest in 2023 as governments face a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Organised criminal groups have proven resilient to challenges affecting the global commercial environment since the Covid-19 pandemic and the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war. Such groups have exploited evolving technologies and growing industries to tighten their grip over illicit and licit markets. Erin Drake explores these dynamics, and their potential…
Despite some unrest by incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters after his defeat in the October 2022 elections, Brazil’s democratic culture and institutions are helping to prevent a right-wing backlash that many expected would result in an attempted ‘self-coup.’ But socio-political tensions remain high, and Bolsonaro could use these pressure…
Pro-Russian protests and rising anti-Russian sentiment in European cities will force leaders to balance public anger at Russia’s invasion with the need to protect civil liberties and prevent politically and ethnically motivated violence. Erin Drake explores the challenges facing European governments that could escalate societal tensions and drive unrest…
Erin Drake considers whether, facing a legacy of presidential ousting and political instability, President Pedro Castillo can avoid impeachment long enough to calm investor nerves and steer Peru away from growing unrest.