16-year-old soccer player killed by stray bullet in Ecuador

Since 2021, Ecuador has experienced growing criminal violence by gangs operating in coordination with Colombian and Mexican cartels involved in drug trafficking.

• Nov 6

FBI to help track down fugitive Barrio 18 gang leaders, Guatemala says

In September, the U.S. government blacklisted Barrio 18 as part of its crackdown on drug trafficking.

• Nov 5

13 suspected drug cartel members killed in shootout with police

Four suspects were arrested and nine people kidnapped by the gang were freed following the clash in Sinaloa, officials said.

• Nov 4

Hometown of jailed drug lord hit by drones, forcing residents to flee

Cartels and other criminal organizations in Mexico have increasingly used drones in attacks against rival groups or authorities.

• Oct 29

Journalist who covered cartels murdered; message left next to body

Miguel Angel Beltran's body was found along a stretch of highway that connects the state of Durango with Mazatlan, a resort hub in the neighboring state of Sinaloa​.

• Oct 27

Accused fentanyl kingpin "Brother Wang" extradited to U.S.

Zhi Dong Zhang, known as "Brother Wang," escaped house arrest in Mexico in July and has now been transferred into U.S. custody, officials said.

• Oct 24

48 bags with human remains found in grave in cartel stronghold

Officials said they were still trying to pin down an exact number for victims whose remains were found in the bags.

• Oct 24

Colombia calls for U.S. to stop boat strikes, "engage in dialogue"

The Colombian government said it "rejects the destruction by the United States of a vessel allegedly related to drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean."

• Oct 23

Fentanyl kingpin wanted by U.S. arrested in Cuba after escape

Zhi Dong Zhang, known as "Brother Wang," is alleged to have worked closely with Mexico's top drug cartels

• Oct 23

Colombian killed in U.S. strike was on a fishing trip, family claims

Alejandro Carranza's family is questioning U.S. claims that he was carrying narcotics aboard a small vessel targeted last month.

• Oct 22

Ecuador releases survivor of U.S. strike on alleged "narco sub"

Ecuador released a man who survived a U.S. strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel after finding no evidence that he had committed a crime, officials said.

• Oct 21

Lime growers' leader killed after complaining about cartel extortion

The body of Bernardo Bravo, president of the Apatzingan Valley Citrus Producers Association, was found in his vehicle, officials said.

• Oct 21

Mexican cartel boss "El Gato" faces new charge in 2013 Texas murder

Former FBI Top 10 fugitive Jose Rodolfo "El Gato" Villareal-Hernandez faces new federal charges tied to a 2013 Southlake murder that could carry the death penalty.

• Oct 20

Judge shot dead while walking his kids to school in Ecuador

Police said the Los Lobos gang -- designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. -- was suspected of the attack on the judge.

• Oct 17

Drone attack hits prosecutor's office near U.S. border in Mexico

The U.S. consulate in Tijuana reported explosions and asked its citizens to stay away from the area.

• Oct 16

Guns, drugs worth $170 million seized in raid linked to "kill team" hit

Police images showed drug packages emblazoned with a picture of a cartoon bear from the 2012 comedy "Ted." Another bag featured Chinese characters reading "smooth sailing."

• Oct 15

14 people killed, with victims showing "signs of torture" in Ecuador

Four men and four women had "signs of torture" with their hands tied together and "their heads covered in black bags," according to a police report.

• Oct 14

20 members of gang labeled a terror group by U.S. escape prison

The U.S. embassy in Guatemala condemned the prison escape as "utterly unacceptable."

• Oct 13

Venezuela wants U.N. meeting over "mounting threats" by U.S.

Maduro's government expressed its expectation of an "armed attack" against Venezuela in "a very short time."

• Oct 10

Soldiers investigated after 6 people shot dead on highway

Numerous violent clashes involving security forces in Tamaulipas have prompted accusations of extrajudicial killings.

• Oct 8

Hegseth says U.S. strike on boat off Venezuela kills 4 "narco-terrorists"

U.S. forces carried out a strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat off the coast of Venezuela on Friday, killing four people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.

• Oct 3

Rapper who went missing on tour found dead in Mexico

Prosecutors said another body found presented "similarities" with that of Bayron Sanchez's DJ colleague Jorge Herrera.

• Sep 23

U.S. designating 2 more gangs as foreign terrorist groups, Rubio says

The announcement targeting Los Lobos and Los Choneros came after a lethal U.S. military strike​ against a similarly designated gang in Venezuela.

• Sep 4

Mexico senators come to blows after debate over U.S. military intervention

Mexican senators came to blows after a heated debate over alleged opposition calls for the U.S. to intervene militarily against drug cartels.

• Aug 28

U.S. is asked to share convicted drug lord's riches with Mexico's poor

Sinaloa drug cartel co-founder Ismael Zambada agreed to forfeit $15 billion in ill-gotten gains.

• Aug 28

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