Extortion in Central America: Gender, Micro-Trafficking and Panama   [open pdf - 0B]

From the Summary: "Gangs and criminal organizations in Central America continue to seek means of adapting to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] while communities look to build resilience to its effects. The aim of this report is to contribute to the understanding of extortion in an evolving context as pandemic-related mobility restrictions are enforced and lifted in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama. The report identifies the evolving role of women in gang schemes and dynamics; explores criminal structures in Panama and their relationship with extortion; and highlights trends among extortion practices as they shift to other criminal activities such as large-scale and local trafficking of cannabis and cocaine."