2024-02-12 18:52:01
In recent weeks, Ecuador has witnessed curfews, a military presence in the streets, and armed men storming a television studio, starkly reminding us of the pervasive influence of violence and organized crime in Latin America and the Caribbean ( LAC). This phenomenon, although visibly present, has rarely been sufficiently debated in terms of its direct connection with the development of the region.
Latin America and the Caribbean hold the sad title of being the most violent region in the world, and unfortunately, this violence is constantly increasing. Homicide rates per person are five times higher than those in North America and ten times higher than those in Asia. Despite housing only 9% of the world’s population, the region accounts for a third of global homicides.
This violence plays a crucial role in migration decisions. Doctors Without Borders highlights that, although economic incentives are driving factors, violence acts as a decisive element in migration to the United States from Central America. Furthermore, it worsens existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable: the poor, young people, ethnic minorities and LGBT+ groups.
Since the early 2000s, organized crime has emerged as the main source of violence in the region, surpassing even social and domestic violence. This discouraging outlook is combined with mediocre economic growth, low levels of productivity and persistently high inequality.
Violence not only hinders social development, but also directly impacts economic growth. By threatening property rights, it affects investment decisions. A study in Colombia showed that the prospect of an imminent peace agreement boosted business creation, but it stopped abruptly when the agreement was rejected in a national plebiscite.
In the fight against crime and violence, governments tend to spend more on security and less on development. Violence destroys human capital by affecting the labor market and decreasing productivity, inflicting significant costs. According to a World Bank report in 2012, violence represented 8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in six countries in the region.
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It is urgent to recognize that violence is the epicenter of LAC’s most pressing challenges and must occupy a central place in discussions about economic growth, productivity, poverty and reducing inequality. Although there is no single solution, it is essential to identify priorities and areas where more knowledge is required to improve policy design.
The region urgently needs better police and judicial systems, programs to address the mental health of victims, and systematic data production to understand patterns of organized crime violence. It is also crucial to start a conversation about strategies to contain the violence that holds the region back, transcending national borders.
This column calls on governments, academia, the private sector, civil society and the international community. It is imperative to recognize the urgency of acting and joining forces to collectively confront the monster that threatens life in Latin America and the Caribbean.
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