On Armed Conflict, Human Rights, and Preserving the Rule of Law in Latin America

Abstract:     
The rule of law in Latin America is under great stress due to ongoing internal armed conflict, the proliferation of criminal gangs and international crime organizations, the presence of international terrorist cells in the region, government corruption, citizens’ loss of faith in their governments, and other social and political factors all conspire to cast the Latin American world into a region of transborder conflict, lawlessness, and long term political and social instability.

This article examines the impact on the rule of law in Latin America from internal armed conflict and its attendant terrorism and human rights violations committed by state and non-state actors, and what steps must be undertaken to stabilize the region, reform vital government and legal institutions, and reaffirm that protection of human rights and respect for the rule of law are paramount to long-term development and regional security.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 57

Keywords: Latin America, Rule of Law, Armed Conflict, Criminal Gangs, International Criminal Organizations, Government Corruption, Transborder Conflict, Lawlessness, Instability, Terrorism, Human Rights, State Actors, Nonstate Actors, Legal Institutions, Regional Security

JEL Classification: K10, K33

Accepted Paper Series