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Check FAQAbout James
Based out of the city of Medellin, I have covered Colombia and Latin America for a wide range of media outlets including the Miami Herald, the Independent, the Toronto Star and Sky News. I work predominantly in print, but have also produced videos, photography and multimedia work and have done TV interview segments. I am a specialist in organized crime, the drug war and Colombia's conflict, but have also covered a broad range of issues from politics to culture.
Fact Checking
Portfolio
How to positively influence your mental well-being with sound
The article discusses the increasing use of music and sound apps to improve mental well-being, highlighting the emotional and physiological benefits of music. It mentions apps like Hear, which blends unwanted noise, and Mindscape, which provides music-based solutions for mental issues. The NHS listed app Cove is also featured as a mood journal that uses music. The author reflects on personal music streaming habits and the trend of curated playlists for mood regulation. The article also touches on the social aspect of music through events like sound baths and exercise trends that incorporate music, such as Morning Gloryville.
Verdict Approaches in Landmark Murder Trial in the Peruvian Amazon
Environmental activists and indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon await the verdict in the Saweto murder case, which has become a test of impunity surrounding environmental crimes in Peru. The trial for the 2014 murders of indigenous Asháninka leaders Edwin Chota, Leoncio Quintisima, Jorge Ríos, and Francisco Pinedo is in its final stages, with a verdict expected on April 11. The accused, alleged illegal loggers Eurico Mapes Gómez and the Atachi Félix brothers, and timber businessmen José Estrada Huayta and Hugo Soria Flores, had been previously convicted with 28-year sentences, but the conviction was controversially overturned on a technicality. The case highlights the increasing violence against those defending the Amazon and the struggle for justice amid systemic challenges.
Report Exposes Inner Workings of Timber Trafficking in Peru
A report by Global Witness reveals the extensive corruption and fraud in Peru's timber industry, focusing on the 2015 Yacu Kallpa operation, which attempted to seize illegal timber. Despite initial success, the operation faced significant political and industry backlash, highlighting the challenges Peru faces in combating illegal logging. The investigation exposed how illegal timber is laundered into the legal market, with complicity from corrupt officials and companies. The case underscores the need for a strong commitment to tackling corruption and protecting the Amazon rainforest.
Surprisingly Light Sentence for Colombia Paramilitary Chief
Rodrigo Tovar Pupo, alias 'Jorge 40,' a former commander of the AUC, received a 16-year sentence for drug trafficking in the US, potentially reducing his prison time to five years with good behavior. The case has sparked controversy over the US's role in prosecuting Colombian paramilitaries, with critics arguing that such leaders should face justice in Colombia for their human rights abuses. Despite the lenient sentence, Jorge 40 may face further legal challenges in Colombia, where he is accused of over 20,000 criminal acts.
People can't afford to eat healthy: will brands step up?
The cost-of-living crisis in the UK is leading to increased consumption of processed foods due to their lower cost. A BBC Good Food survey indicated that 20% of Brits are eating more processed foods, and a report from The Lancet linked poor health outcomes to corporate influence on diets. Non-profit Bite Back reported a significant increase in fast food advertising, while the government delayed a ban on junk food ads. Supermarkets like Tesco, Aldi, and Lidl are taking steps to promote healthier options through price promotions and educational initiatives. Danone's James Mayer suggested taxing unhealthy foods to drive the industry towards healthier products. However, the current government is unlikely to impose such taxes, leaving consumers with limited healthy food choices within their budget.
Mexico Prison Massacre Linked to Zetas Takeover Allegations
At least 13 people died in a prison mutiny in Cadereyta prison, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, allegedly due to an attempted takeover by the Zetas. The riot involved inmates taking guards hostage and protesting against the prison director's alleged ties to the Zetas. Authorities intervened with police patrols and negotiations. The incident underscores the pervasive criminal control and corruption within Mexico's underfunded and overpopulated prison system, where organized crime groups like the Zetas exert significant influence.
Eco-Trafficking in Latin America: The Workings of a Billion-Dollar Business
Eco-trafficking in Latin America has evolved into a billion-dollar trade managed by transnational organized crime networks, causing widespread corruption, violence, and environmental destruction. The illegal timber trade alone generates annual profits of $100 billion, while the global wildlife trade is worth $19 billion annually. The trade involves a complex chain of activities from sourcing to smuggling and selling, often intersecting with other forms of organized crime such as drug and arms trafficking. Corruption among officials and businesses facilitates the laundering of illegal products into the legal market, with significant demand from both domestic and international markets. Despite the severe impact, eco-trafficking operates with near-total impunity in the region.
EU Money Laundering Analysis Offers Lessons for Latin America
A Europol report highlights the challenges and low success rates in prosecuting money laundering cases in the EU, despite a significant increase in suspicious transaction reports. The report identifies the need for better data quality and improved information sharing between national and international agencies. It recommends broader data sharing practices and an intelligence-led approach to reporting. The analysis suggests that Latin American countries, despite having established anti-money laundering frameworks, face similar challenges due to resource constraints and weak institutions. Adopting Europol's recommendations could help improve their results.
Mexico Impunity Levels Reach 99%: Study
Less than one percent of crimes in Mexico are punished, highlighting severe structural and institutional weaknesses. The Mexico Global Impunity Index by CESIJ at Universidad de Las Américas reveals that only 4.46 percent of recorded crimes result in convictions, and over 99 percent of crimes go unpunished when unreported crimes are considered. The report attributes Mexico's high impunity levels to political failures, weak and corrupt institutions, and organized crime. Recommendations include professionalizing institutions, improving transparency, and ensuring political independence, but these require resources and political will that are currently lacking.
Gaitanistas Leader to Be Tried as ‘Criminal’
Daniel Rendon Herrera, alias 'Don Mario,' will be tried as a criminal rather than a demobilized paramilitary following a court ruling. The judge from the Justice and Peace Tribunal determined that Don Mario's continued criminal activities post-2006 disqualified him from being tried under the demobilization law. Evidence included intercepted communications and documents linking him to the Gaitanistas, also known as the Gulf Clan or Urabeños. Don Mario, arrested in 2009, faces charges of aggravated criminal conspiracy in Colombia and may be extradited to the United States. The ruling underscores the transition from paramilitary groups to criminal bands in Colombia.
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