Latin American Security.edited
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Nov 24, 2024
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Latin American Security
Student's Name Institution Course Instructor Date
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Latin American Security
Latin America experiences different security threats primarily influenced by domestic and global issues. Having been assigned the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for Western Hemisphere Affairs, it is essential to develop several background points during the confirmation of a new DASD before the Senate Armed Forces Committee. It is argued
that one of the most significant external factors influencing the integration of Latin America is the divide-and-rule tactic, which is normally used by the U.S. government within the region. However, the region has continued suffering from social, political, and economic issues. Therefore, this paper evaluates the significant regional and international realities and trends that will influence the region's security for the next decade and its possible alternatives. Major Regional and International Realities and Trends
Two of the most critical transnational organized crimes that have continued affecting Latin America include drug trafficking and people smuggling. It is worth noting that those activities conducted by different criminal organizations have threatened the interests of the U.S. government. The majority of the drug trafficking activities that have continued affecting the U.S.
primarily originate from Latin America. More people have lost their lives in the U.S. as a result of the drugs originating from Latin America compared to the people lost in wars in some countries. Additionally, the U.S. loses billions of dollars annually due to the drug trade taking place in Latin America. Moreover, most of the criminal organizations from Latin America have extended their operations globally. It is worth noting that most of those criminal organizations typically operate just like any other multinational company willing to extend its operations to other countries to
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make more profits. Additionally, since Latin America is composed of rising economies that make them weak, there is more demand for high-quality jobs. Considering that the majority of the young people within the region are seeking high-quality jobs, it then makes them willing to join drug trafficking organizations (DTO). Other than the fact that such organizations are capable
of operating internationally, it is also important to understand that they have proven capable of providing essential services to the local citizens, consequently displacing the nation. However, the extent of the success experienced by these organizations varies between different nations. Some of the critical services offered by transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) include bolstering security, which contributes towards providing them with safer environments where they can conduct their criminal activities (Takahashi, 2023). Therefore, as the TCOs continue strengthening their activities within some of the countries in Latin America, they have consequently continued threatening the legitimacy of their respective administrations. Part of the international trend that will influence the security of Latin America for the next decade includes external influences. Globalization is one of the most significant factors contributing to most businesses accessing all global markets. Other than the political and financial influences of external factors, it is also recommendable for U.S. officials to consider what other interests such external factors have on the region, including Russia and China. For example, Russia perceives the existing international climate as contributing to the Cold War. On the other hand, China's expansion into the South China Sea is perceived as part of its ambitions to become a great power. China is currently considered the largest export market for South America, eclipsing the U.S. However, it is worth noting that most of the products sent to China are basic, generally a tiny percentage of the manufactured products (Jenkins, 2022). There is the existing incapacity of
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the manufacturers from Latin America, which has a higher likelihood of influencing them against
competing with the Chinese, especially when prices fall or the conditions for trading are generally not conducive. Additionally, China's unscrupulous lending strategies have consequently influenced the progress of most Latin American countries due to their substantial debts. Other than the increasing China's involvement in Latin America's economy, it is also worth noting that another great challenge presented by the country within the region includes its backing for the anti-U.S. coalition ALBA. ALBA has mostly considered dealing with China when it comes to markets and money issues since its primary objective is having partners other than the U.S. and the rest of Western firms, which the region has been dealing with over the past decades. That has consequently contributed to some of the corrupt and incompetent governments
staying in power for a more extended period than they are expected to do, like in the case of Venezuela. Although most of the businesses within the region have been making losses, it is worth noting that China has continued investing heavily in some of them. That is because China's motivation is not financial but rather geopolitical. Another international trend that is capable of affecting Latin American security is climate
change. Despite Latin America enjoying a variety of natural resources, it is essential to understand that they might experience much pressure over the following years (Espinosa‐Cristia et al., 2019). One of the most significant reasons those resources might experience pressure is that their supply is based on how the natural and human-made systems will influence climate change. Conversely, the demand for natural resources has increased its train. Although there have been arguments that the climate will change over the following decades, questions are still being raised about the rate and the type of change that will be experienced.
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The increasing temperatures are also part of the international trends affecting Latin America. That is primarily because warmer temperatures have the ability to influence agricultural output negatively. Even more severe weather conditions are more likely to be witnessed in Latin America, which may result in a shortage of essential supplies. Therefore, Latin America might experience different challenges when maintaining the required level of safety during such conditions. Future Possible Outcomes
Many factors have threatened the security of Latin America for many years. Some factors
include Latin America's transnational organized crime, climate change, and external factors. Therefore, it is essential to consider various ways to strengthen Latin America's security. A possible future alternative for Latin American security includes improving the governance and institutional structures within the region. Part of the critical activities that should be implemented
towards enforcing those efforts include emphasizing the rule of law and developing barriers to prevent corruption. Therefore, it is recommendable to have institutions that serve the will of the general population and ones that all people can trust. Another possible future outcome for Latin America is improving government efficiency, which includes offering the citizens better services. That will play a critical role in providing the countries with an opportunity to combat criminal organizations. The same approach will also help countries monitor the transnational movement of criminal organizations. However, for all those activities to be successful, the region
needs to direct more finances towards the same efforts. Latin American security should also consider improving its regional relationships and integration. It is worth noting that the countries within Latin America have been focusing on remaining more united over the past years after realizing that they can achieve more by
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remaining united compared to trying to succeed individually (Jenne & Martínez, 2022). Additionally, the countries within the region have also started working together, especially when it comes to investments, as part of increasing their integration. Latin American countries have realized that investing in their inefficient infrastructure is one of the most significant approaches that would yield higher returns internationally.
Encouraging technological improvement and strengthening cyber security are also part of
the critical approaches that can help Latin America improve its security. Therefore, the governments within the region need to direct more funds towards research and development and encourage innovation among its citizens for the following years. It is worth noting that most of the countries within the region experience challenges in combating cyber crimes. However, by making the necessary investments in the issue, the nations can succeed in maintaining the required level of security. Another alternative Latin America should consider to improve its security includes significant investments toward its long-term trade-off. The alternative can play a critical role in eliminating the existing level of poverty experienced within the region and elevating it towards middle-income status. The same approach can also allow the region to deal with climate change effectively as part of the domestic development issues. Dealing with climate change issues means the region would have succeeded in its long-term perspective. However, some of those problems experienced in Latin America are part of the interrelated systems, meaning that the changes take place slowly for them to be noticed, or their impact can take too long for anyone to appreciate. Conclusion
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Domestic and global factors will play a significant role in influencing security in Latin America. Criminal organizations, interference by other countries, and climate change are critical issues threatening Latin America's security. Various approaches can be used to improve the security of Latin America, including improving government efficiency.
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References
Espinosa‐Cristia, J. F., Feregrino, J., & Isla, P. (2019). Emerging, and old, dilemmas for food security in Latin America. Journal of Public Affairs
, 19
(3), e1999.
Jenkins, R. (2022). China's Belt and Road Initiative in Latin America: What has Changed?. Journal of Current Chinese Affairs
, 51
(1), 13-39.
Jenne, N., & Martínez, R. (2022). Domestic military missions in Latin America: Civil-military relations and the perpetuation of democratic deficits. European Journal of International Security
, 7
(1), 58-83.
Takahashi, B. (2023). Towards inclusive international environmental communication scholarship: The role of Latin America. International Journal of Cultural Studies
, 26
(4), 372-391.