In the last decades, narco trafficking and organized crime had emerged as the main security threats in Latin America. Deviant globalization increase their power by establishing connections with similar organizations in other parts of the world, like cocaine distribution networks, for example. This perceived danger increases the pressure on the governments for effective solutions, and some of them consider that these problems had overwhelmed the capabilities of the local police. Consequently, the intervention of military forces would be necessary to secure the stability of the countries. However, the use of force as the only solution is the outcome of a misunderstanding of the root causes that generates them. This paper presents the research for a general pattern in the region that is helpful to understand how the civil society perceives the failures of governance and how the networks of illegal activities exploit this perception.
What is the relation between weak national governance and security threats in Latin America?
This research establish weak governance as an enabler for the emergence of security threats in Latin America related to transnational organized crime. Lack of effective action of the administration to provide basic services and proper conditions for the population resulted in alternate ways to get them, with the consequent undermining of the institutions and norms.
WEAK GOVERNANCE
The Latin America and Caribbean region has the highest homicide rate
The asymmetrical theory by Naim says that the differences between the government and that of transnational crime creates asymmetry (Naim,2005). Different government agencies are organized in a hierarchical relationship that functions consistently from the top to the bottom (Naim,2005). Governments must often follow legal processes that take up time and cost money. These governments are forced to follow budget constraints, as well as legal and political reservation (Naim,2005). These governments must operate within the control of their constitution. In comparison, these transnational crime groups operate in less harsh structures, and are able to have more flexibility in their decision-making, as well as have unlimited funds available to them. The government’s
bia. Both these countries have given birth to some of the most notorious “Cartels” the world has
A few factors for the growth of pandillos in Central America include weak criminal justice systems, geographic, the region’s long history of authoritarianism and conflict, and population displacement and deportation (Bruneau, 154). Bruneau listed weak criminal justice systems as a factor because it makes it difficult to “enforce compliance with the law” (155). Moreover, large portions of the public have viewed law enforcement as the enemy for so long that people need time before they begin to trust and cooperate with members of the criminal justice system (Bruneau, 155). Until that time, gangs and other groups fill the void left by state actors (Bruneau,
This book illustrates several key issues and social problems that Latin American politics faced and continue to struggle with to this day. The matter of insurgent movements and the counter-insurgency methods that have been throughout the
Every Year millions of immigrants get deported back to their countries.They try to come to the US to have a better life and have a great job.We can't judge other people.
The United States Department of State classifies 58 different organizations as foreign terrorist organizations (US DOS). Of those 58 FTOs only one is located in South America, and none are located in Mexico. Despite the lack of official FTOs in Mexico, non-state violence is at an all-time high and the country is more dangerous than ever. This is because of the presence and prevalence of drug cartels throughout the country. These drug cartels employ violent tactics as part of their drug trafficking network. But these cartels are more than just criminal organizations. The scope of the violence, the fear they instill in the population, and the influence they have on policy shows that these organizations should be considered as more than petty criminals trying to make money. While economic gain remains one of the main goals of these groups, there is much that falls under the umbrella of terrorism.
As Charles Bergquist observes, "Crises in Colombia tend to generate cycles of violence instead of mutations in the political regime." The reason is simple: regime changes in Colombia tend to produce very little change in anything other than nominal rule. Since Colombia's independence from Spain in the early 19th century, Colombia has seen a series of civil wars and secessions (Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama the last coming rather conveniently at a time when the U.S. was prepared to pay millions for a canal through its nation preparation that later resulted in a multi-million dollar redress to Columbia). Colombia's political history, therefore, has been colored by outside influences pulling on the two dominant liberal and conservative parties, with violent exchanges, and long periods of instability being the consequences. While regime changes have occurred, they have not produced significant improvements. Rather, Colombia in the 20th century has become a nesting ground for paramilitary forces and drug traffickers, with U.S. Central Intelligence operatives contributing heavily to the violent conflict that has risen between regimes. This paper will examine the regime types that preceded the Rojas Pinilla regime in mid-20th century Colombia, analyze their similarities and differences, and discuss the extent to which Rojas Pinilla reached his goals and objectives.
The gradual impoverishments of the Central American countries, the few job opportunities, earthquakes and hurricanes disasters, and the violence that is lived for several years at those countries seem to have contributed to the creation of a culture of migration. In different countries there have been networks of people engaged in human trafficking. Migrants say that there is no easiness to contact these networks in any Central American country. When there are resources these networks are accessed to. When there are no resources to pay for a “coyote”(name given to the person trafficking migrants), people do it on their own, using roads and other means such as the train, following other people who also migrate. In that road they face an increased
In this research paper I will discuss one transnational crime, and compare the contrast of two nations for their definition of the crime rate, and tools used to measure the crime. I will give each country’s legal tradition and their major influences on crime definition, rate, and measurement. In this assignment I will analyze the extent to which crime statistics collected in different nations can adequately be compared.
Drug trafficking is a major issue in Colombia, causing many other issues across the country. Many people involved in the drug trade including civilians are being killed, kidnapped, and injured over this problem. Over the years, the government has started cracking down on the growers, producers, and sellers but so far, they have only caught minor criminals. The government is making agreements with neighboring countries and finding alternative uses for the crops to slow down the production of drugs. Despite all of the efforts being made to stop drug trafficking, violence, and production the cartels are still thriving throughout Colombia.
What is the first thing that comes into your mind when you hear of the region Latin America? Poverty, violence, drugs? Latin America is a major region where drugs are generated, imported, and exported. The general stereotype with regards to Latin America is that the region is drug infested due to the history of use, the problems regarding drug trafficking, and the continued statistics proving the ongoing use of drugs. Despite the fact that not every country in Latin America fits in this mold, history and data supports this impression.
According to James Painter in his BBC News article “Latin America faces year of change”, Latin America suffers from social violence, kidnapping, drug trafficking, child pornography, lack of women’s rights, and little accountability over the region’s law makers and authorities which can lead to government corruption (para. 12). Government corruption can be defined as political power used by government leaders for private gain and to maintain their power as a government official. Most of the times these corrupt politicians in Latin America say they are accomplishing apprehension of criminals to the best of their abilities when, in reality, they commit the same multitude of crimes. Politicians are able to maintain their power as a result of
More than 100 U.S. companies are doing business in Ecuador, around 250000 US citizens visiting Ecuador annually, and approximately 50,000 U.S. citizens residing in Ecuador Nearly two million Ecuadorians living in the United States and the interests are not only economic, but a mutual strategic interest. Combating narco-trafficking, fighting transnational criminals are mutual national interest of The U.S and Ecuador. The paper will explain,
“Violence has been a prominent social response to the application of structural adjustment policies throughout Latin America. There are societies in which, things fall apart; the center cannot hold. Violence is a shared disease that seems to arise in all societies where there are profound social differences and exploitation…Many Latin American societies are condemned to bloodletting by the precedents of violence and gross injustice that characterize their culture and their history.”
Crime, death, and destruction in Latin America is a big issue that’s spreading around the whole world. It’s becoming a worldwide problem and it needs to be fixed. Trafficking drugs to other countries and what not, are the main cause of crime, death and destruction of property in Latin America. “According to police data, these countries collectively saw 17,422 murders in 2015, 11% more than in 2014. However, there are signs the security challenges are changing, both in Northern Triangle and across Central America as a whole.” This shows that murders are occurring more often than they should. El Salvador is increased in murders between 2014-15 and its one of the highest in the world. The