Democracy Under Siege: Political Violence and Organized Crime in Latin America – Case Studies from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico

Across Latin America and the Caribbean, political figures face significant risks of violence, underscoring the complex interplay between political violence, conflict, and organized crime. The issue is particularly pronounced in Latin American democracies such as Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico, where high levels of violence from non-state armed groups and criminal gangs intersect with heightened threats to political figures. While the motivations behind these attacks are multifaceted and not only linked to organized crime dynamics, local politicians are especially vulnerable, as organized crime groups and militias frequently target them to exert control over local resources and secure their illicit operations. This trend is a year-round phenomenon, which risks escalating significantly during electoral cycles, as criminal organizations aim to influence election outcomes and the political landscape through violence. This panel will explore the dangerous interplay between organized crime and political violence in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico, examining how these forces influence political outcomes and undermine democratic governance.