Anastasia
@anastasia-austin.bsky.social
Freelance investigative journalist and security analyst in LatAm focusing on organized crime, corruption, and the people who fight it.
Former InSight Crime investigator. Read my work: https://muckrack.com/anastasia-austin-1
Former InSight Crime investigator. Read my work: https://muckrack.com/anastasia-austin-1
Pinned
Anastasia
@anastasia-austin.bsky.social
· Dec 22
Hi Bluesky! 👋
We’re OffMap Media - an independent journalism project by two reporters cycling through the Andes.
Expect notes from the field, photos, and stories from the road.
Learn more about us and read our latest Field Dispatch here: open.substack.com/pub/offmapme...
We’re OffMap Media - an independent journalism project by two reporters cycling through the Andes.
Expect notes from the field, photos, and stories from the road.
Learn more about us and read our latest Field Dispatch here: open.substack.com/pub/offmapme...
OffMap Media | Douwe | Substack
On-the-ground reporting, analysis, and storytelling from two investigative journalists cycling through South America. Click to read OffMap Media, a Substack publication. Launched 2 days ago.
open.substack.com
For those interested in following the journey of two journalists cycling through the Andes, @douwedenheld.bsky.social and my project has finally launched!
Peru’s congress bet on ousting a rubber stamp president to pacify protestors in Lima. The bet has not come off. It may have even made things worse.
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
www.reuters.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Peru’s congress bet on ousting a rubber stamp president to pacify protestors in Lima. The bet has not come off. It may have even made things worse.
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
Ecuador protests |Sources in Ecuador continue to share pretty disturbing videos with me. They show military members threatening civilians rifles, attacking, beating up, and kicking people after they’re down. 🪡
October 15, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Ecuador protests |Sources in Ecuador continue to share pretty disturbing videos with me. They show military members threatening civilians rifles, attacking, beating up, and kicking people after they’re down. 🪡
Reposted by Anastasia
a bleak fable www.theguardian.com/environment/...
As forests are cut down, butterflies are losing their colours
The insects’ brilliant hues evolved in lush ecosystems to help them survive. Now they are becoming more muted to adapt to degraded landscapes – and they are not the only things dulling down
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 8:48 AM
a bleak fable www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Anastasia
U.S. Says It Will Revoke Colombian President’s Visa www.nytimes.com/2025/09/27/u...
U.S. Says It Will Revoke Colombian President’s Visa
www.nytimes.com
September 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
U.S. Says It Will Revoke Colombian President’s Visa www.nytimes.com/2025/09/27/u...
Last week, the CONAIE in Ecuador called its first national strike since 2022. A lot of media are calling it a "strike over the diesel subsidy cut." But while diesel was the trigger, the region's most powerful indigenous federation's list of demands is much longer, including... 🧵
September 25, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Last week, the CONAIE in Ecuador called its first national strike since 2022. A lot of media are calling it a "strike over the diesel subsidy cut." But while diesel was the trigger, the region's most powerful indigenous federation's list of demands is much longer, including... 🧵
Last week, the US designated Ecuadorian gangs, the Lobos and the Choneros as terrorist organizations, even while promising nearly US$20 million to “wage war against these vicious animals, these terrorists.”
Source: www.npr.org/2025/09/04/n...
Source: www.npr.org/2025/09/04/n...
Rubio pledges US aid for Ecuador, to ‘wage war’ on gangs in drug fight
The move, which includes US$20 million in security aid and drones, aims to bolster Ecuador’s fight against drug cartels.
cepr.us1.list-manage.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Last week, the US designated Ecuadorian gangs, the Lobos and the Choneros as terrorist organizations, even while promising nearly US$20 million to “wage war against these vicious animals, these terrorists.”
Source: www.npr.org/2025/09/04/n...
Source: www.npr.org/2025/09/04/n...
A Canadian lawyer just filed a complaint against Dundee Precious Metals before the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) for misleading shareholders about the Loma Larga #mining project in #Ecuador.
The complaint cites our report for @theguardian.com
bit.ly/4oqd3Kr
The complaint cites our report for @theguardian.com
bit.ly/4oqd3Kr
August 14, 2025 at 1:04 AM
A Canadian lawyer just filed a complaint against Dundee Precious Metals before the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) for misleading shareholders about the Loma Larga #mining project in #Ecuador.
The complaint cites our report for @theguardian.com
bit.ly/4oqd3Kr
The complaint cites our report for @theguardian.com
bit.ly/4oqd3Kr
Breaking |Ecuador's mining ministry announced it will suspend the Loma Larga project in #Ecuador until Dundee Precious Metals publishes an environmental management plan. This represents a step back after the Noboa administration pushed through the company's environmental license just last month
August 7, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Breaking |Ecuador's mining ministry announced it will suspend the Loma Larga project in #Ecuador until Dundee Precious Metals publishes an environmental management plan. This represents a step back after the Noboa administration pushed through the company's environmental license just last month
Reposted by Anastasia
This is Utah in case anyone’s wondering how pissed off people are. I have never seen anything like this.
April 5, 2025 at 7:06 PM
This is Utah in case anyone’s wondering how pissed off people are. I have never seen anything like this.
Reposted by Anastasia
Upon learning that your own mistake sent an innocent father to a brutal prison where he’s likely to be tortured, anyone with a shred of decency would be overcome with shame and fight like hell to get him back.
They think it’s funny.
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
They think it’s funny.
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
April 5, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Upon learning that your own mistake sent an innocent father to a brutal prison where he’s likely to be tortured, anyone with a shred of decency would be overcome with shame and fight like hell to get him back.
They think it’s funny.
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
They think it’s funny.
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
“They are all here,” a lady running a little shop on one of these roads told us. “The military comes through during the day, and when they go home in the evening, the others come out. I serve everyone - what else can I do?”
Read our latest on OffMap Media: bit.ly/3Yc3Nhz
Read our latest on OffMap Media: bit.ly/3Yc3Nhz
March 31, 2025 at 12:28 PM
“They are all here,” a lady running a little shop on one of these roads told us. “The military comes through during the day, and when they go home in the evening, the others come out. I serve everyone - what else can I do?”
Read our latest on OffMap Media: bit.ly/3Yc3Nhz
Read our latest on OffMap Media: bit.ly/3Yc3Nhz
🚨New Article | Our latest for @offmapmedia.bsky.social explores the tricky balance between navigating real danger in Colombia’s countryside and not getting sucked into the prejudices and anxieties that have accumulated over decades of civil conflict.
#Colombia #FARC-EP #ELN #security
#Colombia #FARC-EP #ELN #security
March 30, 2025 at 3:34 PM
🚨New Article | Our latest for @offmapmedia.bsky.social explores the tricky balance between navigating real danger in Colombia’s countryside and not getting sucked into the prejudices and anxieties that have accumulated over decades of civil conflict.
#Colombia #FARC-EP #ELN #security
#Colombia #FARC-EP #ELN #security
The Trump administration is like Hitler’s Germany — a fascist state. Except when it’s like Springtime for Hitler — an absurdist parody of itself. @theatlantic.com @jeffreygoldberg.bsky.social
March 25, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The Trump administration is like Hitler’s Germany — a fascist state. Except when it’s like Springtime for Hitler — an absurdist parody of itself. @theatlantic.com @jeffreygoldberg.bsky.social
I wish democrats in the US would pay attention, instead of worrying about bipartisanship, “waiting for the fever to break”, and getting vulnerable with their gym buddies or whatever it is Chuck Schumer is doing.
March 19, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I wish democrats in the US would pay attention, instead of worrying about bipartisanship, “waiting for the fever to break”, and getting vulnerable with their gym buddies or whatever it is Chuck Schumer is doing.
Reposted by Anastasia
Reposted by Anastasia
I realise people like to dunk on COP in general and Brazil's determination to hold COP30 in a city without adequate infrastructure in particular, but this story about a new road "cutting through the Amazon" seems out of proportion to me… (see gif)
March 13, 2025 at 10:08 AM
I realise people like to dunk on COP in general and Brazil's determination to hold COP30 in a city without adequate infrastructure in particular, but this story about a new road "cutting through the Amazon" seems out of proportion to me… (see gif)
Reposted by Anastasia
Bellingcat's Environmental Investigation team is looking for story pitches that use open-source investigation techniques to investigate environmental issues. We offer payment for stories, so if you've been working on a story and want to get paid, look here:
www.bellingcat.com/uncategorize...
www.bellingcat.com/uncategorize...
Pitch Wildlife and Environmental investigations to Bellingcat - bellingcat
If your source material is online and public, and your story unearths something deeper about our planet, we'd love to hear from you.
www.bellingcat.com
March 13, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Bellingcat's Environmental Investigation team is looking for story pitches that use open-source investigation techniques to investigate environmental issues. We offer payment for stories, so if you've been working on a story and want to get paid, look here:
www.bellingcat.com/uncategorize...
www.bellingcat.com/uncategorize...
Reposted by Anastasia
We discussing the influence of the AGC or Gaitanistas, Colombia’s largest, most powerful criminal group in the gold mining industry in Segovia, Antioquia, on next week’s Colombia Calling podcast.
Not to be missed! Tune in their podcast below.
open.spotify.com/show/3DdNcFZ...
Not to be missed! Tune in their podcast below.
open.spotify.com/show/3DdNcFZ...
InSight Crime | From the Ground Up
Podcast · InSight Crime · We have spent the last 15 years investigating organized crime in the Americas from the ground up. Now, on our audio channel, you can hear the best of our investigative and a...
open.spotify.com
March 13, 2025 at 10:30 PM
We discussing the influence of the AGC or Gaitanistas, Colombia’s largest, most powerful criminal group in the gold mining industry in Segovia, Antioquia, on next week’s Colombia Calling podcast.
Not to be missed! Tune in their podcast below.
open.spotify.com/show/3DdNcFZ...
Not to be missed! Tune in their podcast below.
open.spotify.com/show/3DdNcFZ...
Reposted by Anastasia
Yesterday, I published an investigation into a secretive & abusive NYPD unit led by Mayor Eric Adams’ buddies.
Adams has embraced the unit, the Community Response Team, even after NYPD officials raised red flags.
This is what that has wrought.
**All caught on video we obtained.**
THREAD.
Adams has embraced the unit, the Community Response Team, even after NYPD officials raised red flags.
This is what that has wrought.
**All caught on video we obtained.**
THREAD.
March 13, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Yesterday, I published an investigation into a secretive & abusive NYPD unit led by Mayor Eric Adams’ buddies.
Adams has embraced the unit, the Community Response Team, even after NYPD officials raised red flags.
This is what that has wrought.
**All caught on video we obtained.**
THREAD.
Adams has embraced the unit, the Community Response Team, even after NYPD officials raised red flags.
This is what that has wrought.
**All caught on video we obtained.**
THREAD.
New article out! It’s part of my favorite series — “In their own words” — interviews with people we meet on our trip translated and edited for clarity - that’s it.
This latest one is with a Colombian bike mechanic who does it for the love of the game. Check it out!
www.offmap.media/p/tomas-isaz...
This latest one is with a Colombian bike mechanic who does it for the love of the game. Check it out!
www.offmap.media/p/tomas-isaz...
Tomás Isaza: "For me, it is the best race there is."
A Bike Shop, a Race, and One Mechanic’s Fight for Community
open.substack.com
March 10, 2025 at 2:01 AM
New article out! It’s part of my favorite series — “In their own words” — interviews with people we meet on our trip translated and edited for clarity - that’s it.
This latest one is with a Colombian bike mechanic who does it for the love of the game. Check it out!
www.offmap.media/p/tomas-isaz...
This latest one is with a Colombian bike mechanic who does it for the love of the game. Check it out!
www.offmap.media/p/tomas-isaz...
For anyone looking for podcast recommendation — InSight Crimes’s “In the Shadow of El Dorado” is captivating and incredible for understanding how messy the line between legal and blood gold in the country is. Episodes 3/4 out now. open.spotify.com/episode/2bjP...
The Shadow of El Dorado | 03 Them
InSight Crime | From the Ground Up · Episode
open.spotify.com
March 9, 2025 at 2:48 AM
For anyone looking for podcast recommendation — InSight Crimes’s “In the Shadow of El Dorado” is captivating and incredible for understanding how messy the line between legal and blood gold in the country is. Episodes 3/4 out now. open.spotify.com/episode/2bjP...
Today’s recommended read on Mexico with lessons for the United States where academic research is being gutted left and right.
March 4, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Today’s recommended read on Mexico with lessons for the United States where academic research is being gutted left and right.
March 3, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Gold prices are at historic highs. And, as in the time of conquistadors, local communities in Latin America are paying the blood price in the hunt for El Dorado.
This new podcast by my former colleagues at InSight Crime takes you into the depths of this shady economy: bit.ly/3DcXkeW
This new podcast by my former colleagues at InSight Crime takes you into the depths of this shady economy: bit.ly/3DcXkeW
The Shadow of El Dorado
Colombia is home to a billion-dollar black market gold sector that funds armed groups and organized crime, fuels corruption, and has a devastating environmental impact. It is, in short, an epicenter o...
insightcrime.org
February 20, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Gold prices are at historic highs. And, as in the time of conquistadors, local communities in Latin America are paying the blood price in the hunt for El Dorado.
This new podcast by my former colleagues at InSight Crime takes you into the depths of this shady economy: bit.ly/3DcXkeW
This new podcast by my former colleagues at InSight Crime takes you into the depths of this shady economy: bit.ly/3DcXkeW