Latin American Cartel/Gang Landscape

Ecuador’s gang conflict remains severe, with a reported 9,216 violent deaths in 2025 and more than 300,000 displaced people over three years, although officials dispute aspects of the trajectory. Los Choneros laundering allegations, PCC penetration of legitimate finance and political financing, the reported first PCC cell dismantled in Chile, Sinaloa sanctions and Tren de Aragua financing concerns indicate expanding criminal-state and financial threats. Recent comparative policing analysis adds background but no new breaking incident.