On November 18, 2024, the Dialogue’s Rule of Law Program, the Fernando Henrique Cardoso Foundation, and the School of Multidimensional Security of the Institute of International Relations at the University of São Paulo, released a joint policy brief analyzing public policies to address insecurity in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. This is the fourth policy brief in a series on security policies and the rule of law in the region, launched by the Dialogue’s Rule of Law Program.
The infiltration of organized crime in Latin America poses a serious threat to democracy and the rule of law across the region. Through illegal contributions to political parties and electoral campaigns, criminal organizations buy influence and corrupt officials at all levels of government.
It’s difficult to talk about public safety in Latin America today without talking about El Salvador and its president, Nayib Bukele. In a region where concerns about crime are running high, and organized crime groups are expanding their reach in many places, El Salvador stands out.
On August 30, 2024, the Dialogue’s Rule of Law Program published a policy brief on the need for democratic and effective security policies in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting insights from Guatemala, São Paulo, and Bogotá.
Tamara Taraciuk Broner, Daniel Caballero, Sofía Lopes, Guzmán Pérez
É difícil para empresários falar sobre democracia ou direitos humanos. Esses termos podem até lhes causar alergia. Entretanto, uma preocupação central do setor privado é que haja segurança jurídica para atuar.
On August 5, 2024, the Dialogue’s Rule of Law Program published a policy brief that outlines an agenda to actively engage private sector leaders in impactful initiatives to strengthen rule of law and legal certainty in the region.
Michael Matera, Tamara Taraciuk Broner, Daniel Caballero
A political transition can happen despite a flawed election and repression. The main challenge is providing incentives, within the rule of law, to those who can help shift from repression to democracy.
Tamara Taraciuk Broner
Articles & Op-Eds ˙
˙ Wilson Center’s Latin America Program
On July 12, 2024, the Inter-American Dialogue’s Rule of Law Program and Cristosal published a policy brief asserting that President Bernardo Arévalo’s government can demonstrate the feasibility of implementing effective and democratic measures to address insecurity in Guatemala.
Citizen insecurity and illicit economies are serious issues in Latin America and the Caribbean, prompting urgent demands from the public for solutions. In response, mano dura policies have been implemented, which have reduced violence but at a significant cost to the rule of law and human rights. It is necessary to develop and promote alternatives that are both effective and democratic.
On June 4, 2024, the Inter-American Dialogue’s Rule of Law Program and Ágora published a policy brief, “Uruguay: Insecurity and Organized Crime.” This is the first policy brief in a series on security policies and the rule of law in the region launched by the Dialogue’s Rule of Law Program.
Ines Fynn, Juan Pablo Luna
Reports ˙
˙ Download the Policy Brief (in Spanish)
Amid the democratic decline in Latin America, independent journalism emerges as a crucial counterbalance, constantly facing risks and challenges. To protect independent journalism, it is necessary to explore collaboration networks, physical and technological protection measures, funding strategies, and international cooperation mechanisms.
On May 2, 2024, the Dialogue’s Rule of Law Program, the Stanford Law School’s Rule of Law Impact Lab, and the Mexican Bar Association released a report analyzing the constitutional reform proposals presented by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to the Mexican Congress in February 2024. The report concludes that the proposals directed at the federal judiciary constitute a direct threat to judicial independence.
Tamara Taraciuk Broner, director of the Rule of Law program, participated in the podcast “Where Did the Migrant Crisis Come From?” on In the Room with Peter Bergen. She discussed the context and causes of the Venezuelan humanitarian and migration crisis, as well as the use of the lifting of US sanctions as leverage for fair elections.
While the market inherently lacks the ability to discriminate between democratic and undemocratic regimes, the identification of autocracy as a tangible risk factor is crucial. Investors must recognize that supporting non-democratic regimes ultimately undermines their own interests.
