Violence in Latin America has not been curtailed by militarization, an expert from George Washington University said in Salt Lake City on Jan. 24.
Omar Garcia-Ponce, a professor of Political Science and International Affairs, spoke to members of the Salt Lake Committee on Foreign Affairs and BYU students, during a dinner and lecture at the Salt Lake Alta Club. Garcia-Ponce studies and teaches the rising violence and security issues around the world.
His presentation centered on Mexico and why it is the center for upticks in violent behavior and aggression.
“Mexico is experiencing a security issue not (only) because of the violence and murder rate, but also because of the high population,” Garcia-Ponce said.
He opened his lecture with data detailing the background of the Mexican drug war and describing the height of the crime rate in Mexico. Garcia-Ponce said the violence really began when former President Felipe Calderon took office in December 2006.
The country’s response to the criminal groups became the 'Mano Dura', or 'tough on crime' approach, which meant employing the military across the country to fight against organized crime.
“The following year, Mexico saw its lowest yearly murder rate in history, then after that, violence was out of control,” Garcia-Ponce said.
Garcia-Ponce’s supporting slides confirmed this and explained that the reason for the steady violence is parallel to why the murder rate skyrocketed after that first year — the heavy reliance on militarization for public security.
“If you go to Mexico right now, you will see members of the army or navy patrolling the beach or guarding the airport,” Garcia-Ponce said.
Jacob Scott, student studying foreign affairs at BYU found Garcia-Ponce’s findings on organized violence and crime in Latin America intriguing.
“The statistics were all there to show why the violence in Mexico is happening the way it is. I thought it was very interesting when he shared that if the demand for drugs and illicit affairs is high in Mexico or even America, then that need will always be filled,” Scott said.
Garcia-Ponce said many responded to the violent behavior by migrating and withdrawing from public life, choosing not to engage with anyone out of fear. The state’s response further enabled this divisiveness, by employing “harsh punishments and unconditional crackdowns,” Garcia-Ponce explained.
“Democracy is meant to have a pacifying effect,” Garcia-Ponce said. "So far, this has not been a one-size-fits-all solution for providing peace to Latin America."
Some citizens chose to organize massive protests or vote, using their voice formally or informally. Others chose a different route to fight against the violent gangs.
“There’s been this phenomenon of vigilante groups or self-defense groups created in communities in Mexico or other parts of Latin America, which unfortunately are not effective at reducing violence,” Garcia-Ponce said.
After reflecting on the lecture, Scott noted that, “the solution to how to solve a problem this big is pretty unclear."
Garcia-Ponce shared that because it is a bi-lateral issue of security, democracy and inequality in Latin America, then it will take a bi-lateral solution.
“We should not get rid of the organized military approach entirely, but I'm saying that we need to generate cooperation of international agencies and governments,” Garcia-Ponce said.
The professor closed his lecture with this final remark on the power of democracy in fighting for peace.
“We have had democracy in Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia and Brazil now for many years, and that has not translated into better security or significantly lower rates of poverty or inequality ... but this is the overlap of the criminal world and the political world. So then, we must find a voice to bridge the two,” Garcia-Ponce said.
Linda Sayage, longtime member of the committee and organizer for these lectures, commented on Garcia-Ponce’s lecture and stance for gaining peace.
“I really loved what he shared tonight and I think that is why we all keep meeting and using these lectures to know more. The more we know, the more power have to help,” Sayage said.