![President Andrés Manuel López Obrador speaks about judicial reform in June at the National Palace in Mexico City.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-2157010103-300x200.jpg)
AMLO’s Judicial Reform Overlooks the Key Weakness of Mexican Justice
Prosecutors’ willingness and capacity to investigate crimes is the nation’s judicial system’s weakest link, writes an expert.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/GettyImages-1551624895-300x200.jpg)
Despite Record-Low Murder Rates, Brazilians Feel Less Safe
Homicide rates have fallen steadily in recent years, but over a third of Brazil’s public believe that violence has increased since Lula took office.
![Ecuadorian soldiers carry out an anti-gang operation in Guayaquil on Feb. 5.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JIEcuador-300x200.jpg)
Ecuador’s War on Drug Gangs: A Mixed Picture So Far
President Noboa has deployed more than 30,000 soldiers and policemen to contain the chaos. While homicides have fallen, kidnappings and extortion remain high.
![Latin American drug cartels are expanidng to Asia. As cocaine flows to remoter markets, transnational illicit traffic poses a global risk.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GettyImages-1236767347-300x200.jpg)
Why Drug Cartels Are Expanding to Asia
As cocaine flows to remoter markets, transnational illicit traffic poses a global risk.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GettyImages-1251912519-300x200.jpg)
As Concern Over Crime Rises, Chile’s Boric Shifts Right
The deaths of three police officers in the space of a month has added to the already acute security woes facing the government.
![Colombia's Defense Minister Iván Velásquez has to contend with armed guerrillas and military corruption.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AQ0223_VELAZQUEZ-THUMB-300x183.jpg)
Iván Velásquez Is Facing His Toughest Challenge Yet
As Colombia’s defense minister, the former anti-corruption crusader is challenging criminal groups—and the military tasked with confronting them.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BukelePetro-1-300x199.png)
On Security, Bukele and Petro Have a Problem in Common
A recent Twitter feud laid bare the two presidents’ starkly different security approaches. But they both struggle to identify long-term solutions.
![Boric walks to a meeting in Bangkok. Chile signed the TPP11 trade accrod in February 2023.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/GettyImages-1244890683-300x200.jpeg)
One Year On: Which Boric Presides Over Chile?
The former student activist has had to face the reality of governing — and securing the streets he once marched on.
![Chilean President Gabriel Boric with the new interior minister, Carolina Toha. Toha is tasked with getting Boric's administration back on track and dealing with security issues.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GettyImages-1242990079-300x197.jpg)
Gabriel Boric Once Criticized Her. Now, She Must Turn Around His Administration.
Veteran politician Carolina Tohá, Chile’s new interior minister, faces rising crime and a government in some distress.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AQPodcastSILVA0330-300x199.jpg)
AQ Podcast: Petro’s Race to Lose in Colombia?
The former Bogotá mayor’s path to the presidency may not be as clear as it looks, says a leading Colombian analyst.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Catalina-photo-300x200.jpeg)
AMLO’s Risky Strategy: Put Mexico’s Military Everywhere
Long-term deployment and an ever-expanding mandate may harm the reputation of Mexico’s most trusted institution.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AQPodcastAninat-300x199.jpg)
AQ Podcast: Gabriel Boric Gets to Work in Chile
Just days after his inauguration, the 36-year-old former student leader faces a challenging political and economic landscape.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Godnick-book-review-lead-art-300x199.png)
Book Review: Understanding Mexico’s Security Conundrum
Agustin Maciel-Padilla’s new book looks beyond the simple narratives about the country’s violence.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SOUTHCOMM-2-SPA-625W-300x199.jpeg)
El creciente protagonismo de las mujeres en los ejércitos del hemisferio
Las mujeres son clave para reforzar la seguridad de todos.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SOUTHCOMM-2-625W-300x197.jpg)
The Rising Role of Women in the Hemisphere’s Militaries
Women are key to making security stronger for everyone.