Research

I researched political and security issues in Latin America for subscriber publications produced by media and risk analysis firms. Most information was gathered from Spanish-language news sources based in the regions covered.

Reports produced:

• Medellín security profile (March 2018) Created a detailed overview of activities relating to gang violence, theft, kidnapping, transport, terrorism, violent unrest, discrimination, criminal justice in Medellín, Colombia in early 2018.

• Increased cargo theft in Mexico (February 2018) Reported crime statistics, investigated goods most frequently targeted, detailed the nature of criminal activity, analyzed sophistication of the thefts, implications for firms, underlying causes and government response.

• Record levels of fuel theft in Mexico (February 2018) Researched crime statistics, perpetrators and sophistication of thefts, analyzed underlying causes and potential government responses as well as likely future trends.

• Colombia presidential elections update (December 2017) Analyzed key players and coalitions of the presidential election as of December 2017 and review projected impacts of potential political outcomes.

• Urabeños surrender and implications (October 2017) Created a snapshot of current operations, detail evidence of other groups filling the power vacuum, summarize related legislation in place, and review probability of new legislation being passed.

• Effect of the peace process on Colombia’s election (August 2017) Reviewed frontrunner’s for Colombia’s upcoming presidential election as well as the current progress implementing the peace agreement, and compile evidence to understand possibility for peace agreement with ELN.

• Haiti re-mobilizes military as UN peacekeepers prepare for departure (July 2017) Created summary of situation in Haiti in wake of UN exit, detailed implementation challenges, the potential for corruption, and impacts on state security.