Cracking Down on Crime: Why the Old Ways Won't Work

The U. S. government has been focusing on organized crime in Latin America, seeing it as a significant threat. Recently, they captured Nicolás Maduro, calling it a law-enforcement operation against a "narco-terrorist network." This provides a reason to use force in places like Mexico and Colombia.

The Complexity of Cartels

However, using force might not be the best approach. Cartels are no longer confined to a single location. They are part of vast, global criminal networks that involve trade, money, and technology. These networks are resilient and can outlast governments.

The Reach of Criminal Networks

In Latin America, groups like Brazil's Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Mexico's Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) control neighborhoods, prisons, and local economies. Their influence extends globally:

• Money Laundering: They launder money in places like Dubai.
• Supply Chains: They source chemicals from China to manufacture drugs.

Political Responses

Politicians in Latin America have struggled to address this issue effectively:

• Hardline Approaches: Some promise to crack down hard, but this often results in increased violence without disrupting the cartels' financial operations.
• Social Programs: Others offer social programs, but these cannot compete with the cartels' resources and influence.

Governance in the Criminal World

The rise of these criminal groups is not just about crime; it's about how they govern themselves. In the legal world, trade depends on laws and courts. In the criminal world, they must create their own rules and maintain trust to keep their networks intact.

Case Study: Brazil's PCC

• Direct Control: In some areas, the PCC runs operations directly, tracking shipments and deploying personnel.
• Global Partnerships: In Europe, they collaborate with other groups, sharing profits and using threats to maintain control. This delicate balance requires careful management to prevent collapse.