Latin America

A man holds a Russian flag an orange and black "Z" symbol during the annual Immortal Regiment march in Moscow on Victory Day, May 9, 2022. The websites investigated in this report used the same version of the Z symbol in their online promotional materials. (Source: STR/NurPhoto via Reuters Connect)

Wed, Feb 21, 2024

Pro-Russia network spreads propaganda and disinfo in Latin America

Multi-platform operation amplifying Kremlin-aligned narratives published content in Portuguese and Spanish

by Beatriz Farrugia

Brazil Brazil

Mon, Jan 22, 2024

Gang violence and hostage-taking sow fear across Ecuadorian social media

Graphic content related to violent incidents in Ecuador has garnered millions of views on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter

by Esteban Ponce de León

Corruption Ecuador
Brazilian Justice Luis Roberto Barroso, September 28, 2023. (Source: Mateus Bonomi/AGIF via Reuters Connect)

Thu, Jan 11, 2024

Pro-Bolsonaro social media accounts target Brazilian Supreme Court justice

Accounts advocating for the impeachment of Chief Justice Luis Roberto Barroso sought to delegitimize the Brazilian judiciary system

by Beatriz Farrugia, Esteban Ponce de León

Americas Brazil
Supporters of Guatemalan anti-graft presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo, celebrate following his victory in the presidential run-off election, in Guatemala City, Guatemala August 20, 2023. (Source: Reuters/Pilar Olivares)

Mon, Oct 23, 2023

Suspicious media targeted Guatemala’s elected president

At least seventeen media outlets that concentrated their operations on Facebook targeted campaign of lead candidate and electoral institutions ahead of the runoff election

by Daniel Suárez Pérez

Central America CrowdTangle
Guatemala City, Guatemala.- In the photos taken on August 14, 2023, authorities are packing electoral materials and documents that will be used on August 20 for the second round. The elections will see a former first lady compete against the son of a former president. Unemployment, corruption and the high cost of living are on voters' minds as they head to the polls on August 20.

Thu, Aug 17, 2023

Far-right Twitter network targets Guatemala’s presidential election

Twitter network backed Guatemala’s Public Ministry amidst attempts to suspend political party Movimiento Semilla

by Esteban Ponce de León

Americas Elections

Fri, Jun 30, 2023

Russian War Report: Kremlin denies that it targeted civilians in a missile attack on a pizza restaurant

A deadly Russian missile strike on a cafe in Kramatorsk leaves a dozen dead and more injured. Post-mutiny, Wagner's future in Africa is up in the air.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Wed, Jun 28, 2023

Yevgeny Prigozhin: A history of violence and propaganda around the world

Yevgeny Prigozhin captured global attention with his mutiny in Russia; the DFRLab has tracked his efforts around the world for over half a decade.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Africa Botnets

Wed, Mar 29, 2023

What to expect from the world’s democratic tech alliance as the Summit for Democracy unfolds

Ahead of the Biden administration’s second Summit for Democracy, stakeholders from the Freedom Online Coalition gave a sneak peek at what to expect on the global effort to protect online rights and freedoms.

by Katherine Walla

DFRLab satellite analysis shows increased Russian aerial activity on the Saki military airbase in western Crimea. (Source: DFRLab via Planet.com)

Fri, Mar 3, 2023

Russian War Report: DFRLab confirms increased Russian air force activity as Kremlin strives to achieve air dominance

Russia intensified its air power in recent weeks across airfields in Crimea and Rostov Oblast. Elsewhere, Russia continues to pressure Bahkmut.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy holds a national flag as he visits a position of Ukrainian service members in the frontline town of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, December 20, 2022. (Source: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters Connect)

Thu, Dec 22, 2022

2022 at the DFRLab: a year in review

In 2022, the Digital Forensic Research Lab investigated online harms and documented stories of resilience from Ukraine to Uvalde.

by Andy Carvin

Africa Americas

Fri, Jun 3, 2022

Latinos in the US turn to WhatsApp groups for information on the Uvalde shooting

Spanish-language WhatsApp groups discussed solutions to school shootings and shared information from Latin American media sources.

by Iria Puyosa

Civil Society Crisis Management
A Belarusian soldier of the 11th separate mechanized brigade participates in a previous combat exercise on Feb 16, 2022. (Source: EYEPRESS via Reuters Connect)

Fri, May 6, 2022

Russian War Report: Belarus launches “combat preparedness test”

The Belarusian military began unannounced combat drills, the Kremlin drops the term "denazification," and a Latin American RT influencer resigns.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab