This book seeks to serve as a short primer to students and individuals seeking to understand criminal organizations in Latin America. This work examines who are the major criminal actors in numerous countries across the region, including Mexico, Colombia, Honduras, El Salvador, Brazil and Argentina. It explores transnational organized crime groups like the Sinaloa Cartel, which operates in numerous countries and is involved in a plethora of illicit activities. It also explores more regional cartels as well as gangs and other criminal actors. Each chapter highlights the leadership of the various organizations, and how these criminal groups evolved over time. It utilizes Department of Justice documents, scholarly works, and accounts from journalists to provide intricate details about a litany of key players in the criminal underworld.

Jonathan D. Rosen is Assistant Professor in the Professional Security Studies Department at New Jersey City University. Dr. Rosen received his Ph.D. in international studies from the University of Miami. He has published more than 20 books on drug trafficking, organized crime, and gangs in the Americas.