Mike LaSusa

New York

Journalist at Freelance

Journalist reporting on things legal and illegal. Deputy director of content @InSightCrime

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Articles

There is no evidence that Tren de Aragua members use tattoos or operate in a coordinated way in the U.S., according to experts · Factchequeado.com

2 months ago | factchequeado.com | Rafael Olavarria |Mike LaSusa

President Donald Trump, when invoking the 1798 Alien Enemies Act against Tren de Aragua (a gang formed in a Venezuelan prison), claimed the gang:Is waging an “irregular warfare” within the U.S. under the direction of Nicolás Maduro’s regime. Is engaging in “mass illegal migration” into the U.S. “to further its objectives of harming United States citizens”, "undermining public safety”, and “destabilizing” the country.
3 claves para entender el Tren de Aragua

2 months ago | insightcrime.org | Mike LaSusa

El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, ha puesto a la banda criminal de origen venezolano, el Tren de Aragua, en el centro del huracán de sus políticas antimigratorias. Pero con tantas noticias sobre la organización, puede ser difícil distinguir la realidad de la ficción. Aquí presentamos lo que realmente se necesita saber sobre la banda que se ha convertido en uno de los grupos criminales más notorios del mundo.
Debunking 3 Myths About Tren de Aragua

2 months ago | insightcrime.org | Mike LaSusa

US President Donald Trump has put the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua at the center of his immigration enforcement efforts. But with so much news about the group, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. Here, we break down what you really need to know about the gang that has quickly become one of the world’s most infamous crime groups. Many Venezuelans who have been arrested or deported for allegedly belonging to Tren de Aragua say they were targeted because of their tattoos.
How Trump’s Anti-Money Laundering Rollback Could Help LatAm Criminals

Mar 26, 2025 | insightcrime.org | Mike LaSusa

Experts say that the administration of President Donald Trump may be making it easier for criminals to get away with money laundering and bribery by abandoning the enforcement of laws that crack down on shell companies and corporate graft.
Trump debilita controles antilavado y fortalece a criminales en América Latina

Mar 25, 2025 | insightcrime.org | Mike LaSusa

Los expertos afirman que el gobierno del presidente Donald Trump podría estar facilitando que los criminales se salgan con la suya en casos de lavado de dinero y soborno, al abandonar la aplicación de leyes que apuntan a las empresas fachada y la corrupción corporativa.
How Trump’s Team Could Impact Anti-Crime Efforts in LatAm

Jan 17, 2025 | insightcrime.org | Mike LaSusa

As the new Trump administration takes office, Latin America braces for shifts in US policy, with organized crime high on the agenda. Military strikes on Mexican criminals and a possible retaking of the Panama Canal have already featured in the incoming president’s rhetoric. Drawing from the first Trump administration and statements from his team of deputies, we look at how his second-term policies may shape up. Guatemalan corruption fighters were facing a crisis in May 2018.
Cómo podría afectar el equipo de Trump a la lucha contra el crimen en América Latina

Jan 17, 2025 | insightcrime.org | Mike LaSusa

Con la llegada al poder del nuevo gobierno de Trump, América Latina se prepara para los cambios en la política estadounidense, con el crimen organizado como prioridad en la agenda. Los ataques militares contra criminales mexicanos y la posible retoma del canal de Panamá ya han aparecido en la retórica del presidente electo. Teniendo en cuenta la primera administración de Trump y las declaraciones de su equipo de adjuntos, analizamos cómo podrían configurarse las políticas de su segundo mandato.
GameChangers 2024: Organized Crime Gets Political

Dec 30, 2024 | insightcrime.org | Mike LaSusa

Criminal organizations showed this past year that they pose a growing threat to democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean, exerting nefarious influence over numerous elections and political situations throughout the region. Some criminal groups directly threatened or killed candidates and elected officials, depriving citizens of their right to a freely chosen, truly representative government.
GameChangers 2024: El crimen organizado se vuelve político

Dec 30, 2024 | insightcrime.org | Mike LaSusa

En este último año, las organizaciones criminales demostraron que representan una amenaza creciente para la democracia en América Latina y el Caribe, pues ejercieron una nefasta influencia sobre varias elecciones y situaciones políticas en toda la región. Algunos grupos criminales amenazaron directamente o asesinaron a candidatos y funcionarios electos, lo que privó a los ciudadanos de su derecho a un gobierno libremente elegido y representativo.
The Cold War Inside the Sinaloa Cartel Following El Mayo's Arrest

Aug 20, 2024 | insightcrime.org | Victoria Dittmar |Mike LaSusa

Following the capture of El Mayo, tension between the Mayiza and the Chapitos factions of the Sinaloa Cartel has worsened in Mexico.