All articles tagged with #gangs
President Trump used unverified and selective facts about gangs in Colorado to justify U.S. invasion of Venezuela, despite evidence that contradicts his claims and the lack of legal grounds for such military action, drawing criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
The ban on gang patches in New Zealand has largely been symbolic, with gangs continuing their activities and recruiting despite the law. Police have seized patches and made arrests, but gang membership and criminal activities persist, suggesting the law's limited impact on gang influence or violence.
Criminal organizations in Mexico, in coordination with domestic extremist groups, are offering bounties and providing logistical support to target and attack U.S. ICE and CBP officers, especially in Chicago, with efforts including surveillance, harassment, and assassination attempts, prompting increased security measures and public alerts.
The U.S. State Department has designated the gang Barrio 18 as a foreign terrorist organization, citing its attacks in Central America and aligning it with other notorious groups like MS-13, as part of efforts to dismantle criminal networks and combat drug trafficking.
The U.S. is designating Ecuador's largest gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as terrorist organizations, enabling asset freezes and intelligence sharing, as part of a broader effort to combat organized crime and drug trafficking in the region, with additional security aid pledged to Ecuador.
A shooting occurred near Bryan Federal Prison Camp involving rival gangs, prompting a law enforcement response; no injuries to staff or inmates were reported, and investigations are ongoing.
In Haiti, vigilante groups have emerged to combat gangs but are increasingly involved in human rights abuses, blurring the line between defenders and perpetrators amid a collapsing government and lawlessness, with some groups colluding with gangs and committing atrocities.
The article reveals that Israel has been arming and protecting criminal gangs in Gaza, including ISIS-linked groups, to serve its strategic interests against Hamas. These gangs are involved in looting aid, attacking humanitarian workers, and establishing military compounds, with some operating under Israeli protection, raising concerns about their role in Israel's broader policies in Gaza.
El Salvador's President Bukele, known for his tough stance on gangs and popularity, openly embraces the label of 'dictator' amid concerns over human rights abuses, suppression of dissent, and erosion of civil liberties, despite claiming significant achievements in reducing violence.
In Gaza, the situation is worsening as organized gangs loot much of the limited aid entering the region, exacerbating the food scarcity crisis. Israel faces accusations of using starvation as a weapon of war, a claim it denies, while aid groups criticize the insufficient food supply allowed into Gaza. The ongoing conflict and humanitarian challenges are further detailed on NPR's website.
Gaza's aid routes have been overtaken by heavily-armed gangs, led by figures like Yasser Abu Shabab, who rob UN aid trucks with alleged tacit approval from the Israeli military. These gangs, formed along family lines, operate freely in IDF-controlled zones, stockpiling and reselling stolen goods at high prices. The situation has worsened since Israel's invasion of Rafah, with aid deliveries plummeting and up to 30% of aid being stolen. The IDF denies complicity, blaming Hamas, while local transporters and UN officials argue that such thefts couldn't occur without Israeli assent.
Two American missionaries and a Haitian director were killed by gang members in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, amid escalating violence and delayed deployment of a Kenyan-led peacekeeping force. The country has been in turmoil since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, with gangs controlling large parts of the capital and the Haitian National Police overwhelmed. The U.S. is funding the peacekeeping mission, but delays and logistical issues raise concerns about its effectiveness in restoring order.
In Haiti, gangs have taken over after a prolonged decline of the government. An international force is being deployed to restore governmental control, but the mission faces significant challenges.
Haiti's government has officially established a nine-member transitional presidential council in an effort to restore security to the gang-ravaged country, but the decree raises questions as it does not name council members or set a timeframe for installation. Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who pledged to step down once his successor was in place, will initially retain oversight, and the council is tasked with aiding the deployment of international troops to combat armed gangs. The delayed transition has prompted criticism and concerns about the process being hampered to hold onto power, while the international community urges urgent action to address the security situation.
At least three people, including two juveniles, were shot during an Eid al-Fitr event in West Philadelphia when rival gangs exchanged gunfire, with over 1,000 people, including families, present. One of the victims was a juvenile who pulled out a gun and was shot by police, while another innocent bystander sustained a gunshot wound. Five people have been arrested, and four weapons were recovered. Homicide police are investigating the incident, and a heavy police presence was observed at the scene.