El Centro

SWJ El Centro, or "downtown" in Spanish, is our town square for analysis and discussion of Latin America's guerilla wars and criminal insurgencies. More about El Centro here.

Recent El Centro Journal Articles and SWJ Blog Posts:

The Convergence of Illicit Networks on Social Media: the Human Smuggling-Drug Trafficking Nexus

by Nilda M. Garcia | Mon, 02/28/2022 - 3:25pm | 2 comments

Postscript: Anticipating Future Threats of Unmanned Systems

by James Torrence | Mon, 02/28/2022 - 2:18pm | 0 comments

This essay appeared as the postscript to Robert J. Bunker and John P. Sullivan, Eds., "Criminal Drone Evolution: Cartel Weaponization of Aerial IEDs." A Small Wars Journal–Anthology. Bloomington: Xlibris, 2021

New Documentary on 2004 Madrid 11M Train Attacks Released

by SWJ Editors | Fri, 02/25/2022 - 8:17pm | 0 comments

A new Netflix documentary "11M: Terror in Madrid" released recounting the book "Al Qaeda's Revenge: The 2004 Madrid Train Bombings" by Fernando Reinares.

SWJ El Centro Book Review – The Wolfpack: the millennial mobsters who brought chaos and the cartels to the Canadian underworld

by James H. Creechan | Wed, 02/23/2022 - 8:42pm | 1 comment

Mexican Cartel Strategic Note No. 34: Anti-Vehicle Mine Targeting SEDENA Convoy between Tepalcatepec and Aguililla, Michoacán

by John P. Sullivan, by Robert Bunker | Wed, 02/16/2022 - 3:05pm | 0 comments

“Steel Wall” to Steel Bars: Historical Context for “Operation Lone Star”

by George T. Díaz | Tue, 02/08/2022 - 11:04pm | 0 comments

SWJ El Centro Book Review – Los servicios de inteligencia en México, ayer y hoy

by Paloma Mendoza-Cortés | Sat, 02/05/2022 - 4:34pm | 0 comments

SWJ El Centro Reseña del libro – Los servicios de inteligencia en México, ayer y hoy

by Paloma Mendoza-Cortés | Sat, 02/05/2022 - 4:28pm | 0 comments

SWJ El Centro Reseña del libro – Democracy and Security in Latin America: State Capacity and Governance under Stress

by Pablo A. Baisotti | Wed, 02/02/2022 - 4:45pm | 0 comments

SWJ El Centro Book Review – Democracy and Security in Latin America: State Capacity and Governance under Stress

by Pablo A. Baisotti | Wed, 02/02/2022 - 4:01pm | 2 comments

Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 46: Los Angeles Strike Force Investigation into Alleged Weapons Trafficking Organization Providing Weapons and Ammunition to the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG)

by John P. Sullivan, by Nathan P. Jones, by Robert Bunker | Mon, 01/31/2022 - 3:24pm | 0 comments

Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 45: Rio De Janeiro Operação Cidade Integrada (Operation Integrated City) Police ‘Occupy’ Favelas to Restore Territorial Control

by John P. Sullivan, by José de Arimatéia da Cruz, by Robert Bunker | Fri, 01/21/2022 - 1:06pm | 1 comment

Venezuela: Understanding Political, External, and Criminal Actors in an Authoritarian State

by R. Evan Ellis | Fri, 01/14/2022 - 4:38am | 0 comments

A social network analysis of Genaro García Luna and his alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel

by Francisco Sollano Jr | Tue, 01/11/2022 - 5:22pm | 1 comment

SWJ–El Centro Announces New Slate of Fellows/Associates for 2022

by SWJ Editors | Tue, 01/04/2022 - 2:54pm | 1 comment

Small Wars Journal-El Centro (SWJ–El Centro) is pleased to announce the Class of Fellows and Associates for 2022. Senior Fellows are active in managing El Centro . Fellows have already made significant and distinguished contributions to the field through the course of their career. Associates are actively engaged in research or practice in the region and in transnational organized crime or insurgency. Interns are emerging scholars and practitioners.

Field Report: Security in Tamaulipas Today: Simulated Peace

by Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, by Jorge A. Pérez González | Mon, 01/03/2022 - 1:20pm | 41 comments

Informe de campo: Seguridad en Tamaulipas Hoy: Una Paz Simulada

by Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, by Jorge A. Pérez González | Fri, 12/31/2021 - 5:44pm | 1 comment

Mexican Cartel Strategic Note No. 33: Pueblos Unidos Launch Sophisticated Prison Break Allegedly Using Coches Bomba (Car Bombs) or IEDs

by Daniel Weisz , by Nathan P. Jones, by John P. Sullivan, by Robert Bunker | Mon, 12/20/2021 - 3:51pm | 0 comments

From 18th Street to Barrio 18: The Morphing of a Barrio

by Anibal Serrano | Wed, 12/08/2021 - 5:57pm | 4 comments

Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 44: Peixão Facção Builds a Canal Bridge to Elude Police and Consolidate Criminal Governance

by John P. Sullivan, by José de Arimatéia da Cruz, by Robert Bunker | Sat, 11/27/2021 - 3:57pm | 0 comments

Commentary – A designation constraining peace: why the US’ delisting of FARC as a foreign terrorist organisation is critical

by Alexandra Phelan | Tue, 11/23/2021 - 11:12pm | 1 comment