Nathaniel Janowitz

Nathaniel is running around the Americas for VICE News covering everything from the environment to drugs, politics, and weird crime.

News

'It Starts Bombing You in the Head': The Mystery of the Super Strong 'Creepy' Weed

The so-called “creepy”—referenced in music by everyone from Bad Bunny to Pablo Chill-E—has been found from Chile to Costa Rica. But what is inside the potentially toxic weed that seems to be everywhere in Latin America?
Nathaniel Janowitz
1.17.24
mexico

A Cop Was Just Found Guilty for the Death of Former Child Actor

Octavio Ocaña was known to Spanish language audiences as the adorable character Benito in the long-running Mexican comedy show Vecinos [Neighbors].
Nathaniel Janowitz
12.18.23
COLOMBIA

Asian American Comedian Murdered in Colombia After Meeting a Woman Online

Hmong comedian and activist Tou Ger Xiong was found dead in the city of Medellin.
Nathaniel Janowitz
12.13.23
News

A Man Escaped Prison After Botched Penis Enlargement

It was almost the perfect plan, minus the agonizing pain part.
Nathaniel Janowitz
12.12.23
News

Police Uncover Massive Smuggling Ring That Moved Guns from Europe to Cartels

Top security officials, including a former air force boss, were among those arrested in the scheme that allegedly sent nearly 50,000 guns to South America.
Nathaniel Janowitz
12.6.23
Nicaragua

Beauty Pageant Director Accused of Using Contestants to Overthrow Government

No, this isn’t the plot for Miss Congeniality 3. But it could be.
Nathaniel Janowitz
12.4.23
Tech news

I Went Alien Hunting on Chile's Mountainous 'UFO Route'

Chile's "Ruta Ufológica," a hotspot for sightings and emerging tourist destination, is a microcosm of the global UFO craze.
Nathaniel Janowitz
12.1.23
URUGUAY

Fugitive ‘King of the South’ Comes out of Hiding for TV Interview

After escaping authorities around the world, the 32-year-old alleged drug-trafficker and soccer playing, music producing Sebastián Marset appeared in a TV interview interspersed with music videos.
Nathaniel Janowitz
11.27.23
URUGUAY

Close Associate of Fugitive 'King of the South' Drug Lord Arrested in Uruguay

Sebastián Alberti Rossi reportedly escaped prison in 2021 while serving time on murder charges. He’s allegedly the brother-in-law of one of the world’s most wanted men, Sebastián Marset.
Nathaniel Janowitz
10.27.23
belize

3-Year-Old Girl Killed After Family Allegedly Found Cocaine Washed Up on Beach

Cocaine left in the ocean by drug cartels washing ashore in the tourist islands of Belize has caused deadly wars between Bloods and Crips gangs for years. The child was one of three people killed.
Nathaniel Janowitz
10.25.23
Encounters

Why Do UFO Sightings Keep Happening Near Nuclear Sites?

From the Fukushima Daichi nuclear plant after a disaster to a U.S. missile base, UFOs have a concerning affinity for nuclear-based sites.
Nathaniel Janowitz
10.20.23
Gustavo Penadés

A Senator Paid a Teacher to Find Him Teenage Boys to Sexually Abuse, Charges Allege

Gustavo Penadés, a longtime power player in Uruguay’s ruling National Party, will be held for 180 days as police investigate the charges.
Nathaniel Janowitz
10.16.23
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