And what we are learning about the role of trees
Gangs rule many areas of Haiti, often causing chaos. There are regular kidnappings, turf wars, and violent clashes in the streets, making daily life a high-stakes gamble for the locals.
In the shadow of ongoing instability and years of war, gangs have carved out their niche. They're deeply involved in smuggling, extortion, and more, contributing significantly to the nation's extensive security challenges.
In the middle of the ongoing conflicts, gangs exploit the chaos, engaging in looting, and armed violence, and contributing to the overall instability of this troubled nation.
Powerful gangs are a part of daily life, deeply involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and violent territorial disputes. They drive up the nation's high crime rates.
Here, tribal conflicts and urban gang violence are a constant, with gang disputes frequently turning deadly, posing significant risks to community safety and social harmony.
One of the countries most heavily affected by gang violence, El Salvador is known for its notorious gangs. This country grapples with extortion rings, drug trafficking, and violent street gangs, significantly impacting both daily life and national security.
Gangs are deeply entrenched in the way of life here, involved in drug trade, extortion, and brutal territorial wars, contributing to one of the world's highest homicide rates.
Gangs dominate many urban areas, involved in drug trafficking, extortion rackets, and often brutal violence, making it a place where law and order are constantly challenged.
Colombia is famous for its battles with drug cartels. This problem persists today with violence and social disruption around gang territorial control being a major concern for authorities.
Powerful cartels and gangs dominate much of Mexico. They deal in drug trafficking, kidnapping, and violence, significantly disrupting law and order in the country.
Gangs and criminal networks are involved in kidnapping, oil theft, and communal violence, significantly impacting security and community life. Religiously motivated gang activity is a large factor in Nigeria.
Gang activity in the former Portuguese colony often involves the youth and contributes to street violence and crime. On multiple occasions, the nation's capital, Luanda, has seen itself in the top 10 of Africa's most dangerous cities.
Gangs are involved in various criminal activities. With a large portion of youths being unemployed, it's often the only choice they have to make a life for themselves.
Many cities face challenges with gang violence, with groups involved in drug trade and territorial disputes often wreaking havoc on cities around the country.
Gangs and organized crime groups take part in all kinds of activities from counterfeiting to extortion in Bangladesh.
Another Latin American country that suffers from gang-related activity around the trafficking of drugs, Bolivia has seen extreme challenges in dealing with gang violence.
Gang-related drug trade and territorial conflicts contribute to a complex security situation, impacting local communities.
Gangs are involved in smuggling and human trafficking, adding to the growing list of the country's security challenges.
Urban areas face challenges with organized crime and gang activities taking place in the shadows. Illegal trade and trafficking are a major source of concern for Chinese authorities.
Organized crime centered around the trafficking of narcotics has seen Ecuador struggle in recent years.
Zimbabwe, notorious for its political and economic instability in recent years, has consistently been plagued by the growth of gangs and their extremely violent activity.
One of the most politically unstable countries in the world, Libya is struggling with the emergence of organized crime.
Gangs and armed groups contribute to violence and instability, particularly in urban areas, affecting community life and national security.
Urban centers are often battlegrounds for gang wars, with drug trade, territorial disputes, and violence being commonplace, profoundly affecting community life and safety. Cities like Cape Town are significantly affected, seeing South Africa occupy the top 5 most dangerous cities in Africa.
Gangs are involved in drug trafficking and violent crime, impacting tourism and community safety.
Another country that is significantly impacted by the existence of religiously motivated gang activity, Mozambique suffers from severe cases of gang-related violence.
Small, localized gangs contribute to crime and violence, affecting the community and overall public safety.
With a thriving drug trade, gangs can take control of many urban areas. Extortion and violent conflict run rampant in certain areas.
Gangs take advantage of political unrest, engaging in violence and contributing to the overall instability of the nation.
With weak government control, gangs and militia groups thrive, engaging in piracy, trafficking, and violent conflicts.
Crime figures in the twin-island nation have been worsening and there have been a record number of murders this year, with over 620 in a 1.5 million population. This is one of the highest homicide rates in Latin America and the Caribbean. Organized crime and the international drug trade are thought to be responsible for the majority of these cases.
Sources: (AtOnce) (World Population Review) (MigrationPolicy)
See also: Escobar and other criminals tracked down by INTERPOL
Gang violence has been an ongoing issue in Sri Lanka for many years. Some experts believe that it all started when drug trafficking experienced a boom in the 1980s. Gun violence, which is often caused by the rivalries between different gangs, continues to escalate in the country.
Officials have uncovered bone fragments, clothing, shoes, and even children's toys, raising fears among families of Mexico’s 120,000 forcibly disappeared individuals.
Authorities have so far recovered around 700 personal items and nearly 100 shell casings from the site, though the number of victims remains unknown. The ranch, reportedly serving as a cartel training base, was raided last year after a tip-off to the Mexican National Guard. That operation led to the arrest of 10 individuals and the rescue of two hostages, along with the discovery of a victim’s body wrapped in plastic bags.
For many people around the world, gang life is the only choice that makes sense to climb the ladder in certain war-torn, politically unstable, and economically desolate countries. These nations struggle with a dark underbelly of criminality while the surface may seem appealing and beautiful. Think about the lush tropical rainforests of Brazil, the beautiful savannas of South Africa, and the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas.
Many of these countries have battled the existence of gang life and the violence that follows them. Click through the following gallery to find out which countries have been most affected by these criminal groups.
Cartel ‘extermination site’ with cremation ovens, human remains uncovered in Mexico
Officials investigating a ranch near Guadalajara linked to the disappearance of thousands
LIFESTYLE Haiti
Mexican authorities are investigating an alleged cartel-operated site in Jalisco, Mexico, where human remains, cremation ovens, and hundreds of personal belongings have been discovered. The site, located at Izaguirre Ranch near Teuchitlán, approximately 60 km (about 35 miles) west of Guadalajara, is believed to have been used for mass killings by cartels.
Officials have uncovered bone fragments, clothing, shoes, and even children's toys, raising fears among families of Mexico’s 120,000 forcibly disappeared individuals.
Authorities have so far recovered around 700 personal items and nearly 100 shell casings from the site, though the number of victims remains unknown. The ranch, reportedly serving as a cartel training base, was raided last year after a tip-off to the Mexican National Guard. That operation led to the arrest of 10 individuals and the rescue of two hostages, along with the discovery of a victim’s body wrapped in plastic bags.
For many people around the world, gang life is the only choice that makes sense to climb the ladder in certain war-torn, politically unstable, and economically desolate countries. These nations struggle with a dark underbelly of criminality while the surface may seem appealing and beautiful. Think about the lush tropical rainforests of Brazil, the beautiful savannas of South Africa, and the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas.
Many of these countries have battled the existence of gang life and the violence that follows them. Click through the following gallery to find out which countries have been most affected by these criminal groups.