New Laws to Fight Organized Crime in GuatemalaThursday, August 6, 2009 Congress approved two key laws to fight organized crime and strengthen the Judiciary. This new laws provide greater protection to judges, prosecutors and witnesses, as well as regulation of witness cooperation. Crime and Violence in Central AmericaMonday, March 30, 2009 Central America is literally being occupied by criminal forces and the result is not only physical but also economic insecurity for its citizens. Crime and violence, especially that which is generated by organized crime, drug trafficking first, are increasing in the region, while the states seem overwhelmed by the problem. "Organized Crime Infiltrates Institutions in Panama"Friday, January 31, 2014 The state prosecutor has signalled the penetration of drug trafficking organizations in the Panamanian economy and in political institutions. According to the prosecutor, Ana Belfon, during her first year of work she has perceived an increased penetration of organized crime into the economy and institutions of the Panamanian government. Alarming Increase of Crime in Costa RicaWednesday, November 4, 2009 During 2008, homicides increased 39%, and the fact that many crimes go unreported evidences lack of confidence in security institutions. An article by Mario Bermúdez Vives in Elfinancierocr.com collects data from the State of the Nation Report 2009. Crime Affects Salvadoran EconomyFriday, May 27, 2011 The costs generated by crime are equivalent to 11% of gross domestic product (GDP). According to a recent World Bank report, crime and violence have an impact on economic growth not only in terms of loss of wages but it also affects the investment climate and diverts scarce government resources to strengthen the application of justice rather than promoting economic activity." 100.000 Gang Members in Central AmericaFriday, March 19, 2010 Organized crime, especially the one related to drug trafficking, recruits its members in young, marginalized populations. Antonio María Costa, executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), stated that “Central America is very vulnerable to organized crime, due to a series of factors which include underdevelopment, large flow of guns and a young population”. IDB approves $132 million loan to Costa RicaTuesday, May 24, 2011 The funds will be used to strengthen programs to combat organized crime in the country. The prevention, rehabilitation and strengthening of law enforcement are some of the areas that will be enhanced with the injection of new resources. Rosenthal Organization Profiled by the USTuesday, October 13, 2015 Diagram showing the people and companies identified by actions related to money laundering, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury´s Office of Foreign Assets Control. Homicide Figures in Central AmericaThursday, January 25, 2018 A report by InSight Crime highlights the homicide rate registered in Costa Rica in 2017, which was 12.1 per 100,000 inhabitants, the highest number in its history. The report indicates that Costa Rica is a country that has traditionally been considered "peaceful," and in respect to the escalation of the homicide rate, an increase that local authorities attribute to organized crime, the report indicates that " ... lack of retrospective and a vague methodology is weakening the authorities' attempts to attribute blame to organized crime. " Guatemala close to becoming a Narco-StateMonday, September 6, 2010 Guatemala’s weak institutions have been unable to contain drug traffickers, causing marked erosion in the authority and legitimacy of the state. In numerous Latin American countries, organized crime and violence are corroding governance and imperiling democratic legitimacy. This phenomenon is most severe in Guatemala, which is currently experiencing a full-blown crisis of the democratic state. Guatemala Interested in Russian Weapons in Exchange for FoodMonday, March 2, 2009 Guatemala's vice-president has said his country is interested in buying Russian aircraft, armored vehicles, and other armaments in exchange for food. "Guatemala is interested in acquiring aircraft, armored vehicles, and other armaments to fight organized crime. We could pay, as the Russian side suggests, with sugar and coffee for the arms deliveries," Rafael Espada told the Prensa Libre newspaper. Guatemala: Courts Intimidated by Organized CrimeMonday, November 18, 2013 Prosecutors in the interior would rather not know about high-impact cases, and there are judges who do not want to rule on them for fear of reprisals. Added to this are other problems being faced by prosecutors of the Public Ministry (PM) within the country such as lack of security, space and backlogs. Central America: Highest Homicide Rate in the WorldFriday, April 11, 2014 Drug trafficking and gangs are the main factors responsible for intentional murders in the most violent countries in the world: Honduras, Belize, El Salvador and Guatemala. According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime at the United Nations (UNODC), in 2012 Honduras recorded 90.4 killings per 100,000 inhabitants. Central America Unites to Fight CrimeWednesday, July 21, 2010 At the summit of the Central American Integration System, authorities agreed to relaunch the regional integration process, centering it on combating crime and violence. The first chapter of the Action Plan signed by Central American presidents is called “Democratic Security” and foresees meetings among all the sectors related to security and defense in the region for the second half of 2010, as well as obtaining the necessary human, financial and technological resources to develop a security strategy in Central America. High Crime Rates Halt InvestmentWednesday, April 22, 2009 Even though Panama is not the country in Central America most affected by crime and violence, there is already a warning about the cost of rising insecurity. Panamanian companies are seeing an increase in their security costs and they are starting to worry about the consequences on the investment climate in the country, especially the possible decline in tourism. |
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