Oliver Lawson
@oliverlawson.bsky.social
Researching economics, small-scale conflict, and organised crime. Sometimes at the same time. My masters thesis (LSE) covered FARC dissident responses to COVID.
Check out oliverlawson.com for my Colombia drug seizures database
Check out oliverlawson.com for my Colombia drug seizures database
Pinned
Oliver Lawson
@oliverlawson.bsky.social
· Nov 17
I maintain a database tracking/mapping major drug seizures (oliverlawson.com) in Colombia and the rest of LatAm. Defo a work in progress and I'll be adding a lot more data soon. But, might be helpful to some of you.
Reposted by Oliver Lawson
Panama just made its largest maritime cocaine seizure since 2008: 13.5 tons. Authorities arrested 10 people.
Since they are _alive_ and not _barbarically blown out of the water_, these 10 people are all potential sources of intelligence to dismantle criminal networks.
Since they are _alive_ and not _barbarically blown out of the water_, these 10 people are all potential sources of intelligence to dismantle criminal networks.
Panamá incauta 13,5 toneladas de cocaína en un barco, entre los 10 detenidos hay ecuatorianos
Panamá registra su mayor incautación de cocaína desde 2008, con el decomiso de 13,5 toneladas en un barco al suroeste de Isla San José. Las autoridades informaron que 10 hombres fueron detenidos duran...
www.primicias.ec
November 12, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Panama just made its largest maritime cocaine seizure since 2008: 13.5 tons. Authorities arrested 10 people.
Since they are _alive_ and not _barbarically blown out of the water_, these 10 people are all potential sources of intelligence to dismantle criminal networks.
Since they are _alive_ and not _barbarically blown out of the water_, these 10 people are all potential sources of intelligence to dismantle criminal networks.
Reposted by Oliver Lawson
Interesting that ~10 agents chose to mask for this photo, while the rest were apparently fine with showing their faces.
Border Patrol boss Greg Bovino and other federal immigration agents could be leaving Chicago this week, reports say. blockclubchi.co/4qT41qx
November 11, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Interesting that ~10 agents chose to mask for this photo, while the rest were apparently fine with showing their faces.
(1/3) Really excellent piece in El Espectador this morning from David Escobar Moreno on the businesses connections that funded paramilitaries in the 90s and early 2000s in #Colombia.
www.elespectador.com/investigacio...
www.elespectador.com/investigacio...
Condenan a empresarios que financiaron a los paramilitares de Carlos Castaño en Urabá
Se trata de cuatro empresarios de Maderas del Darién, una de las empresas más importantes en el Urabá.
www.elespectador.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:32 PM
(1/3) Really excellent piece in El Espectador this morning from David Escobar Moreno on the businesses connections that funded paramilitaries in the 90s and early 2000s in #Colombia.
www.elespectador.com/investigacio...
www.elespectador.com/investigacio...
(1/5) People in Tunja woke up to find a mortar in the street.
As dawn broke on Saturday, residents in the Curubal neighbourhood of Tunja, the capital of Boyacá, discovered a blue pickup truck retrofitted with a platform for launching mortars.
As dawn broke on Saturday, residents in the Curubal neighbourhood of Tunja, the capital of Boyacá, discovered a blue pickup truck retrofitted with a platform for launching mortars.
November 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
(1/5) People in Tunja woke up to find a mortar in the street.
As dawn broke on Saturday, residents in the Curubal neighbourhood of Tunja, the capital of Boyacá, discovered a blue pickup truck retrofitted with a platform for launching mortars.
As dawn broke on Saturday, residents in the Curubal neighbourhood of Tunja, the capital of Boyacá, discovered a blue pickup truck retrofitted with a platform for launching mortars.
(1/5) #colombian leftist guerrillas the #ELN killed five miners in a massacre in a gold mine on Tuesday. They arrived without warning and opened fire indiscriminately into a group of workers.
The mine, near the town of San Pablo, Bolívar, was reportedly controlled by the Clan del Golfo.
The mine, near the town of San Pablo, Bolívar, was reportedly controlled by the Clan del Golfo.
November 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
(1/5) #colombian leftist guerrillas the #ELN killed five miners in a massacre in a gold mine on Tuesday. They arrived without warning and opened fire indiscriminately into a group of workers.
The mine, near the town of San Pablo, Bolívar, was reportedly controlled by the Clan del Golfo.
The mine, near the town of San Pablo, Bolívar, was reportedly controlled by the Clan del Golfo.
(1/5) Yesterday, a car bomb exploded near the police station in Suárez, Cauca, destroying 30 homes and businesses. Two people were killed and several more injured, according to the mayor’s office.
November 4, 2025 at 1:16 PM
(1/5) Yesterday, a car bomb exploded near the police station in Suárez, Cauca, destroying 30 homes and businesses. Two people were killed and several more injured, according to the mayor’s office.
(1/4) Yet another drone attack in Colombia.
On Friday, a police station in Jamundí (Valle del Cauca), was attacked by a drone loaded with explosives.
On Friday, a police station in Jamundí (Valle del Cauca), was attacked by a drone loaded with explosives.
November 1, 2025 at 3:29 PM
(1/4) Yet another drone attack in Colombia.
On Friday, a police station in Jamundí (Valle del Cauca), was attacked by a drone loaded with explosives.
On Friday, a police station in Jamundí (Valle del Cauca), was attacked by a drone loaded with explosives.
Reposted by Oliver Lawson
Great to see the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights speaking so clearly about the United States' murderous boat strikes in the Western Hemisphere.
59 days after the first strike is hardly "rapid response," but it's way better than "never, because it's the USA."
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
59 days after the first strike is hardly "rapid response," but it's way better than "never, because it's the USA."
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
November 1, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Great to see the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights speaking so clearly about the United States' murderous boat strikes in the Western Hemisphere.
59 days after the first strike is hardly "rapid response," but it's way better than "never, because it's the USA."
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
59 days after the first strike is hardly "rapid response," but it's way better than "never, because it's the USA."
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
(1/5) The Colombian Navy seized nearly 2.8 tons of cocaine on a boat near Buenaventura destined for Central America, valued at 133 million USD (where, idk).
Just a few weeks ago, public forces had seized 2.9 tons of cocaine in a mega operation that hit 35 locations in the port city in the same day.
Just a few weeks ago, public forces had seized 2.9 tons of cocaine in a mega operation that hit 35 locations in the port city in the same day.
October 30, 2025 at 10:25 PM
(1/5) The Colombian Navy seized nearly 2.8 tons of cocaine on a boat near Buenaventura destined for Central America, valued at 133 million USD (where, idk).
Just a few weeks ago, public forces had seized 2.9 tons of cocaine in a mega operation that hit 35 locations in the port city in the same day.
Just a few weeks ago, public forces had seized 2.9 tons of cocaine in a mega operation that hit 35 locations in the port city in the same day.
Reposted by Oliver Lawson
This is already aging well.
Cold War fever:
US targets Colombia and Venezuela
Rubio and Trump seek the power to kill who they want, when they want, and they don't think they owe you an explanation www.piratewireservices.com/p/cold-war-f...
Cold War fever:
US targets Colombia and Venezuela
Rubio and Trump seek the power to kill who they want, when they want, and they don't think they owe you an explanation www.piratewireservices.com/p/cold-war-f...
Cold War fever: US targets Colombia and Venezuela
Rubio and Trump seek the power to kill who they want, when they want, and they don't think they owe you an explanation
www.piratewireservices.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:24 PM
This is already aging well.
Cold War fever:
US targets Colombia and Venezuela
Rubio and Trump seek the power to kill who they want, when they want, and they don't think they owe you an explanation www.piratewireservices.com/p/cold-war-f...
Cold War fever:
US targets Colombia and Venezuela
Rubio and Trump seek the power to kill who they want, when they want, and they don't think they owe you an explanation www.piratewireservices.com/p/cold-war-f...
(1/5) FARC dissidents injured six people in a drone attack in El Plateado, Cauca, today, five of them children. Drone attacks are a tragically common story in Cauca.
El Espectador attributes the attack to the Carlos Patiño FARC dissident front.
Below is a map of the group's clashes and arrests.
El Espectador attributes the attack to the Carlos Patiño FARC dissident front.
Below is a map of the group's clashes and arrests.
October 30, 2025 at 12:07 AM
(1/5) FARC dissidents injured six people in a drone attack in El Plateado, Cauca, today, five of them children. Drone attacks are a tragically common story in Cauca.
El Espectador attributes the attack to the Carlos Patiño FARC dissident front.
Below is a map of the group's clashes and arrests.
El Espectador attributes the attack to the Carlos Patiño FARC dissident front.
Below is a map of the group's clashes and arrests.
(1/4) Extremely concerning that the Trump Administration’s rhetoric over the past few weeks has blamed Maduro and Petro personally for drug trafficking.
October 28, 2025 at 10:18 PM
(1/4) Extremely concerning that the Trump Administration’s rhetoric over the past few weeks has blamed Maduro and Petro personally for drug trafficking.
(1/5) Today, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced through his X account that “it's time to resume talks with the ELN. I’m responding to Mr. Pablo Beltrán. Try peace in Colombia.”
Petro is referring to a video in which Beltrán, ELN chief negotiator, called for a return to negotiations.
Petro is referring to a video in which Beltrán, ELN chief negotiator, called for a return to negotiations.
October 14, 2025 at 10:25 AM
(1/5) Today, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced through his X account that “it's time to resume talks with the ELN. I’m responding to Mr. Pablo Beltrán. Try peace in Colombia.”
Petro is referring to a video in which Beltrán, ELN chief negotiator, called for a return to negotiations.
Petro is referring to a video in which Beltrán, ELN chief negotiator, called for a return to negotiations.
(1/4) The Colombian Navy just stopped 2.7 tons of cocaine heading for Costa Rica - the third major seizure on the Pacific Coast in two days. Five Colombians were intercepted piloting a speedboat loaded with narcotics.
October 12, 2025 at 10:03 AM
(1/4) The Colombian Navy just stopped 2.7 tons of cocaine heading for Costa Rica - the third major seizure on the Pacific Coast in two days. Five Colombians were intercepted piloting a speedboat loaded with narcotics.
(1/5) Colombian public forces seized 2.9 tons of cocaine in a massive operation in Buenaventura. Approximately 1,000 members of the Police, Army, Navy, and air force conducted 35 raids and arrested 39 individuals.
October 11, 2025 at 12:49 PM
(1/5) Colombian public forces seized 2.9 tons of cocaine in a massive operation in Buenaventura. Approximately 1,000 members of the Police, Army, Navy, and air force conducted 35 raids and arrested 39 individuals.
(1/4) Yesterday, a group of FARC dissidents attacked a police substation in El Caramelo (southwestern Cauca) with explosives, killing one and injuring four more.
September 15, 2025 at 11:12 AM
(1/4) Yesterday, a group of FARC dissidents attacked a police substation in El Caramelo (southwestern Cauca) with explosives, killing one and injuring four more.
(1/5) Earlier this week, over 620 people were displaced in southern Bolívar, arriving in the small town of Arenal after being told to leave by the ELN.
September 14, 2025 at 10:21 AM
(1/5) Earlier this week, over 620 people were displaced in southern Bolívar, arriving in the small town of Arenal after being told to leave by the ELN.
(1/4) The Colombian government confirms that new talks with Clan del Golfo will take place in Qatar. It's a really strange choice of venue as past talks have been in Colombia or another Latam country (like Cuba for the FARC talks).
August 21, 2025 at 7:51 PM
(1/4) The Colombian government confirms that new talks with Clan del Golfo will take place in Qatar. It's a really strange choice of venue as past talks have been in Colombia or another Latam country (like Cuba for the FARC talks).
(1/5) Today the Colombian military dismantled two ELN-run cocaine labs in Cúcuta and Pamplonita, seizing 275 kg. Just five days before, two labs in Tibu and Valle de Aburrá were also uncovered.
July 19, 2025 at 10:54 PM
(1/5) Today the Colombian military dismantled two ELN-run cocaine labs in Cúcuta and Pamplonita, seizing 275 kg. Just five days before, two labs in Tibu and Valle de Aburrá were also uncovered.
(1/5) 🚨 In the past 5 days, Colombia has seen three explosive attacks allegedly carried out by the ELN:
📍 July 15: Explosives blocked a road in rural Cúcuta
📍 July 13: A pipeline was bombed in Saravena, Arauca
📍 July 10: A mule rigged with explosives killed a soldier in Valdivia, Antioquia
📍 July 15: Explosives blocked a road in rural Cúcuta
📍 July 13: A pipeline was bombed in Saravena, Arauca
📍 July 10: A mule rigged with explosives killed a soldier in Valdivia, Antioquia
July 15, 2025 at 10:32 PM
(1/5) 🚨 In the past 5 days, Colombia has seen three explosive attacks allegedly carried out by the ELN:
📍 July 15: Explosives blocked a road in rural Cúcuta
📍 July 13: A pipeline was bombed in Saravena, Arauca
📍 July 10: A mule rigged with explosives killed a soldier in Valdivia, Antioquia
📍 July 15: Explosives blocked a road in rural Cúcuta
📍 July 13: A pipeline was bombed in Saravena, Arauca
📍 July 10: A mule rigged with explosives killed a soldier in Valdivia, Antioquia
(1/5)
This Thursday, Colombia’s military bombed a suspected Clan del Golfo camp in Briceño, Antioquia. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez said the strike killed 30–40 fighters. www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/bo...
This Thursday, Colombia’s military bombed a suspected Clan del Golfo camp in Briceño, Antioquia. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez said the strike killed 30–40 fighters. www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/bo...
Ejército bombardeó campamento del Clan del Golfo en el Bajo Cauca, con un número indeterminado de muertos
El propio ministro de Defensa nacional, Pedro Sánchez, informó este jueves de la realización de bombardeos aéreos en el Bajo Cauca antioqueño en los q...
www.elcolombiano.com
July 15, 2025 at 1:20 AM
(1/5)
This Thursday, Colombia’s military bombed a suspected Clan del Golfo camp in Briceño, Antioquia. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez said the strike killed 30–40 fighters. www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/bo...
This Thursday, Colombia’s military bombed a suspected Clan del Golfo camp in Briceño, Antioquia. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez said the strike killed 30–40 fighters. www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/bo...
(1/4)🚨Over 65 people displaced in Yondó (Antioquia) due to firefights between the ELN and Clan del Golfo, according to the Mayor’s Office. This marks the latest escalation in a turf war along one of Colombia’s most critical cocaine corridors.
www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/co...
www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/co...
Combates de ilegales en Yondó, Antioquia, generaron confinamiento y desplazamiento
La Alcaldía de Yondó informó que sigue bastante complicada la situación de orden público en zona rural del municipio, suceso que ha causado un nuevo d...
www.elcolombiano.com
July 13, 2025 at 12:54 AM
(1/4)🚨Over 65 people displaced in Yondó (Antioquia) due to firefights between the ELN and Clan del Golfo, according to the Mayor’s Office. This marks the latest escalation in a turf war along one of Colombia’s most critical cocaine corridors.
www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/co...
www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/co...
Reposted by Oliver Lawson
It took a year to scour every local office for every record of a migrant death on the Texas border w/Mexico. The results are devastating amid a Texas border crackdown. >1K drowned btwn 2017-23, many children. We tell the story of a 4yo lone survivor of a family drowned in the Rio Grande last year.
Border drownings rose as migrants rushed to cross and Texas clamped down www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/...
Border drownings rose as migrants rushed to cross and Texas clamped down
An investigation found more migrant drowning deaths than the U.S. or Mexico have reported. Many were in Eagle Pass, where Texas’ border crackdown is focused.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 8, 2024 at 2:34 PM
It took a year to scour every local office for every record of a migrant death on the Texas border w/Mexico. The results are devastating amid a Texas border crackdown. >1K drowned btwn 2017-23, many children. We tell the story of a 4yo lone survivor of a family drowned in the Rio Grande last year.
I wonder if we can expect a big increase in migrants at the US border before the inauguration as groups make their way further north.
At the U.S.-Mexico border, #migration is down since Election Day. But El País reports this from the Mexico-Guatemala border.
english.elpais.com/internationa...
english.elpais.com/internationa...
December 3, 2024 at 3:08 PM
I wonder if we can expect a big increase in migrants at the US border before the inauguration as groups make their way further north.
Reposted by Oliver Lawson
Seventy percent of women in Latín America have been víctims of gender-based violence
In México, more than 3000 are murdered every year
Sheinbaum promises to change that, but she's defunding state programs for battered women
In México, more than 3000 are murdered every year
Sheinbaum promises to change that, but she's defunding state programs for battered women
Will Mexico's new president confront violence against women in a way that AMLO didn't?
Violence against women across nearly all of Latin America is on the rise. Images and data from the N25 March in Mexico. Sheinbaum has promised change, but will she follow through?
www.piratewireservices.com
December 2, 2024 at 2:05 PM
Seventy percent of women in Latín America have been víctims of gender-based violence
In México, more than 3000 are murdered every year
Sheinbaum promises to change that, but she's defunding state programs for battered women
In México, more than 3000 are murdered every year
Sheinbaum promises to change that, but she's defunding state programs for battered women