In #Colombia's high stakes presidential run-off, candidates views on how to contain conflict are divided between dialogue and crackdown Some combination of military pressure, dialogue, &social reforms could prove best path forward, I told @DeutscheWelle www.dw.com/en/colombia-...

USG just unsealed major indictment against Sinaloa gov Rubén Rocha + 8 current/former officials, charged with drug trafficking & weapons offenses. DOJ alleges Los Chapitos, one of Sinaloa Cartel’s main factions, would have helped Rocha win office in exchange for protection. Rocha denied everything.

Este fin de semana, Colombia enfrentó múltiples ataques violentos en Cauca, Valle del Cauca y Nariño, cometidos presuntamente por el grupo armado conocido como Estado Mayor Central (EMC). @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social escribió hace algunos meses sobre por qué este grupo utiliza ese tipo de ataques.

#Colombia Ante la presión militar, el grupo armado conocido como Estado Mayor Central (EMC) ha optado por atacar estaciones de policía y bases militares de forma asimétrica, con armamento que no permite realizar ataques precisos. ✍️ @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social

Presidential election campaigns in Colombia have showcased starkly different visions for how to tackle the country’s burgeoning internal conflict. Our latest @crisisgroup.org alert, charting out the risks and opportunities ahead www.crisisgroup.org/cmt/latin-am...

LIVE NOW 🔽 Join @crisisgroup.org's @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social for a panel discussion on violence, policing and armed actors in Venezuela. Register here: ilas.columbia.edu/events/venez...

Ahead of International Women's Day tomorrow, @comfortero.crisisgroup.org shares her picks from our work at @crisisgroup.org reminding us that, even when it is less visible, women and children often bear the brunt of conflict. www.crisisgroup.org/sco/global/c...

The US has taken control of Venezuela's oil production and now covets vast critical mineral wealth. Today, many of these mines are in the hands of armed groups, in complicity of local security forces. @CrisisGroup.org explains the conflict risks ahead 👇 www.crisisgroup.org/qna/latin-am...

Hoy en día es imposible hablar de la naturaleza del conflicto armado en Colombia sin comprender que hay niños y niñas que se ven obligados a participar en todas sus facetas. 🧵de @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social sobre nuestro nuevo informe acerca del reclutamiento infantil.

Para reclutar niños y niñas, los grupos armados y criminales se han vuelto expertos en tejer mitos en torno a sus operaciones. Los niños, atraídos por dinero fácil; las niñas, por la ilusión de escapar violencia doméstica. Así se nos explicó un niño👇 www.crisisgroup.org/es/brf/latin...

Today in Colombia, it is impossible to talk about the nature of armed conflict without understanding that there are children being forced to participate in every part of it 🧵on our new @crisisgroup.org report & how generalized child recruitment has become www.crisisgroup.org/brf/latin-am...

"Cada niño que protegemos de ser reclutado es un paso hacia el debilitamiento de un conflicto cuyo costo lo paga la población más vulnerable." ✍️ @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social en @elpaisamerica.bsky.social

Hoy no se puede hablar de la naturaleza del conflicto armado en #Colombia sin reconocer que hay niños y niñas obligados a participar en todas sus dimensiones. Hoy, escribo en @elpaisamerica.bsky.social sobre el reclutamiento de menores @latam.crisisgroup.org elpais.com/america-colo...

#Colombia's Armed groups systematically recruit children, who they force to fill the most dangerous roles. In our @crisisgroup.org report, we document how these criminal recruitment networks lure children from home and sell them to the highest armed bidders www.crisisgroup.org/brf/latin-am...

Violence in Sinaloa hasn’t stopped. In just two weeks: mass kidnappings and overtly political attacks. The MX gov says Chapitos were behind them. On the abduction of 10 miners (at least 5 killed), Sec. Harfuch said it was a case of mistaken identity, Chapitos allegedly thought they were with Mayos.

1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken. Hundreds of kids are still detained. We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵

This Thursday, our latest from @crisisgroup.org

I started working on child recruitment in #Colombia by accident, because everywhere I went, the conflict was being reshaped by armed groups' dependence on minors to control territory and silence the communities left behind. We publish our @crisisgroup.org findings on 12 February

In its latest show of gunboat diplomacy, the US has deployed a guided-missile destroyer to the coast of Haiti just days before the transitional gov's mandate expires. What is behind the new pressure? My @CrisisGroup colleague @diego_darin explains 👇 www.crisisgroup.org/anb/latin-am...

🇺🇸🇨🇴 “Petro and Trump have each found a perfect sparring partner” On Tuesday’s #Spotlight, @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social breaks down #Petro-#Trump tensions ahead of White House visit.

#Entrevista 🎥 La investigadora @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social explica por qué reconocer este fracaso es clave para pensar alternativas desde los territorios más afectados. 👉 Mira la entrevista completa: youtu.be/pz9R0IfqTvM #GuerraContraLasDrogas #PolíticaDeDrogas #Violencia

#Entrevista 🎥 En este diálogo, la experta @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social de @crisisgroup.org sostiene que insistir en frenar la oferta de drogas es una estrategia fallida. Frente a ello, plantea que los Estados prioricen la protección integral y políticas sociales. Ver más 📲 f.mtr.cool/opwuazwteq

The ELN has is moving swiftly to guarantee its interest and survival in Venezuela, after US military operations in Caracas. We write in today's LatAm Advisor, future talks may follow the same logic: a means to survive politically under new Colombian gov tinyurl.com/2mc5mh7v

#Mexico transferred 37 prisoners to the US in a move to quell tensions, as Washington once again threatens strikes on drug trafficking groups Yet renditions to the US have tended to escalate violence in Mexico. My colleague @dmoravera.bsky.social explains 👇 www.crisisgroup.org/alr/latin-am...

Sheinbaum just handed over 37 cartel suspects to U.S. custody. After the U.S. attack in Caracas, Mexico needs to deliver clear wins for Trump to further deter any U.S. unilateral military move. This is it. Some quick thoughts from Sinaloa, where I am doing fieldwork this week:

Antes de la captura de Maduro, el ELN estaba tomando medidas para garantizar la seguridad de sus intereses en las zonas fronterizas, independientemente de lo que ocurriera en Caracas. Mi columna @crisisgroup.org en @nytimeses.nytimes.com 👇 www.nytimes.com/es/2026/01/1...

"The ELN stands emboldened to challenge the authority of the Colombian state—and US ambitions in Venezuela... The ELN’s ranks are filled with skilled guerrilla fighters with deep expertise in improvised explosives..." @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social on blowback to Trump's imperial adventure in Venezuela:

✍️NEW OP-ED | Something Bad Is Brewing on Venezuela’s Border Colombian leaders have been bracing for the fallout of a U.S. attack against Caracas, fearing violent escalation by armed groups. Those fears seem to be materialising, writes @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social. www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...

Colombia spent months contingency planning for a US strike on Venezuela, fearing it could unleash armed group backlash, a humanitarian crisis, or both. Today along the border, the rapid consolidation of the ELN demonstrates the risk in real time 👇🕊️ www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/o...

"In advance of Mr. Maduro’s capture, the E.L.N. was taking steps to ensure its interests in the borderlands were safe, regardless of what happened in Caracas. Since mid-December, it has gone on the offensive in the Colombian region of Catatumbo". ✍️ @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social in @nytimes.com

After US operations in Venezuela, the ELN has taken steps to ensure its interests are safe, regardless what happens in Caracas. Today I write in @nytopinion.nytimes.com, the ELN stands emboldened to threaten communities, Colombia, and US ambition in Venezuela 👇 www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/o...

La operación militar de EEUU ha cambiado las dinámicas del poder en Caracas, pero no ha tratado el conflicto de fondo: Un gobierno resistente a elecciones y cambio, frente una oposición organizada, exigiendo abrir espacios democráticos. @latam.crisisgroup.org👇 www.crisisgroup.org/es/latin-ame...

US strikes in #Venezuela have changed the equation of power, but without addressing the fundamental political conflict: A government whose only red line is change and a fragmented but strong opposition that seeks a democratic opening Our statement👇 www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...

Pleased to speak to the BBC this evening about the damaging and destabilizing nature of the illegal US invasion of Venezuela AND the illegal US threats of the use of force—including against a NATO ally.

Today I joined @kqedforum.bsky.social with @sangernyt.bsky.social to discuss the latest on #Venezuela, what comes next, and political fallout at home & abroad. Maduro was removed, but the regime remains in tact, the oil industry in ruins, & deep uncertainty ahead 🎧👇 www.kqed.org/forum/201010...

Maduro was removed, but his government - a complex system of competing power and interests - remains in place. I spoke with Australian Broadcasting Corp about the challenges and risks ahead @crisisgroup.org www.facebook.com/share/v/1FfL...

I speak with @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social about the *many* perils that may follow Trump's actions in Venezuela today. You will learn a ton from this 25 minute conversation --> www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-us-jus...

After the blitz US military operation to capture #Venezuela's Maduro, I spoke with @markleongoldberg.bsky.social about the myriad risks ahead. The coming hours could be definitive in shaping a transition, or regime consolidation 👇 www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-us-jus...

I'll be speaking @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social of the Crisis Group about what is unfolding in Venezuela right now. Livestream starts at the top of the hour and free for all Global Dispatches subscribers. www.globaldispatches.org

I spoke with @cnn.com on our initial read on the situation in #Venezuela after US strikes this morning. Bottom line is a question: What is the plan now for the day after? Significant concern in the region, including about the potential for destabilization or humanitarian fallout

Working for and with @comfortero.crisisgroup.org has shaped and enriched my career over almost a decade. We are so lucky to have her leadership at @crisisgroup.org and great to see it recognized. Congratulations and thank you for all you do!

#Colombia #Visión2026 ¿Cómo debe prepararse el Estado para enfrentar las nuevas dinámicas de la guerra? @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social participó en este panel junto a Eduardo Pizarro, Leonardo González y Diana Calderón. www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0uQ...

✍️ “Venezuela cannot be promptly transformed into a free country. Washington’s attempt at a shortcut could leave the nation even worse off than it is today.” @philgunson.bsky.social for @foreignaffairs.com. www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...

For decades, the #Colombian military has relied on having a monopoly on air power to combat armed and criminal groups. As criminal groups turn to drones, these dynamics are quickly changing. Join us this Thursday to discuss with @csis.org 20 Nov 4pm ET 👇 www.csis.org/events/count...

Indispensable read today from my @crisisgroup.org colleague @glaeldys.bsky.social on #Ecuador, where a hard-handed approach against criminal gangs has fragmented and exacerbated violence. As Ecuador votes in a critical referendum, don't miss this important read 👇 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/o...

Ecuador's descent into violence offers lessons for the region about how quickly organized crime can spread, w devastating effects for civilians. My @crisisgroup.org colleague @glaeldys.bsky.social explains what happened, how gov has responded, what comes next. www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...

Please don't miss this sensitive, heartbreaking and brutal investigation by @viviannereim and @Lattif on the women trapped in KSA after giving birth out of wedlock. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/w...

NEW: In @justsecurity.org I analyze the Trump administration's reported theory for how it can continue its lethal maritime strikes despite the time limit on unauthorized military action imposed by the War Powers Resolution. www.justsecurity.org/123844/war-p...

The U.S. pressure campaign in the Caribbean risks destabilizing the broader Andes region, with potentially catastrophic spillover effects. Our latest statement from @CrisisGroup 🧵 on Colombia takeaways 👇 www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...

Just a reminder that, if Washington is truly interested in combatting drug trafficking: “It will be difficult — if not impossible — for the US to achieve its goals in Latin America while alienating its closest military and intelligence-sharing partner” on.ft.com/4hrXq2g