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The Jacob Shapiro Podcast
#242 - Gold, Migration, and Cocaine
Nov 3, 2024
Will Freeman, a Fellow for Latin American Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, dives deep into the troubling dynamics of organized crime in Latin America. He discusses the surge in illegal gold mining and cocaine production, and how these industries fuel global challenges. Freeman explores the concept of 'anarcho-states,' where crime and governance intertwine, risking democratic stability. He also analyzes the shifting political landscapes in Mexico, Peru, and El Salvador, providing insights on their future amidst rising authoritarianism and public unrest.
56:25
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Quick takeaways
- The transition from military dictatorships to democracies in Latin America has significantly influenced the rise of organized crime due to inadequate criminal justice reforms.
- Economic inequality correlates with organized crime prevalence, yet improving socio-economic conditions alone does not automatically reduce crime rates in affected regions.
Deep dives
The Impact of Historical Democratic Transitions
The transitions from military dictatorships to democracies in Latin America, particularly during the late 20th century, are crucial to understanding current challenges related to organized crime. These democratic reforms brought stability and improved the rule of law in various countries, yet they often lacked a corresponding focus on building robust criminal justice institutions. This neglect has allowed organized crime to flourish, with groups leveraging political and economic vulnerabilities that emerged post-transition. For example, while Colombia faced significant issues with narcotics trafficking in the 1980s and 90s, it began reforming its police and justice systems, unlike its regional peers that failed to anticipate and address the rising threat of organized crime.
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