Latin America Advisor
Latin America Advisor
A Publication of The Dialogue
Is Uruguay Winning its Fight Against Drug Traffickers?
Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou’s government has faced rising homicide rates in recent years. // File Photo: Facebook Page of Luis Lacalle Pou.
A poll published April 9 by consulting group Cifra in Uruguay found that the primary issue Uruguayans most worry about in their country is security, with respondents signaling violence related to drug trafficking as one of the main sources of concern. What is the current state of violence associated with drug trafficking in Uruguay? What are the main reasons that crime and security are Uruguayans’ top concern? How well is President Luis Lacalle Pou’s government addressing security concerns, and how big of a role will the issue play in the country’s presidential election in October?
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Aníbal Nicolás Saldías, senior analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit: “Although Uruguay is one of the safest countries in the region, crime has worsened over the past decade. Its homicide rate averaged 6.2 homicides per 100,000 from 1990 to 2010. It doubled to 12 per 100,000 in 2018 before easing down to 10.7 per 100,000 in 2023, according to the interior ministry. The causes of crime are always multifaceted, but an increase in drug trafficking is one of them. Uruguay, with its sprawling Montevideo port, is a transit hub for cocaine destined for Europe. Domestic demand for drugs is also a factor owing to Uruguay’s relatively high income levels and its position as a tourism hub. Gang violence regarding control of local markets and petty feuds fuels the violence, especially in the poorer neighborhoods of Montevideo. Half of all murders in 2023 were a result of…”
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About the Latin America Advisor
The Inter-American Dialogue publishes the Latin America Advisor every business day for a distinguished membership of informed corporate leaders, scholars, and government officials invested in Latin America’s development and future. The Advisor‘s highly regarded Q&A section covers questions submitted by subscribers themselves. Commentators regularly include heads of state, business leaders, diplomats, economists, analysts, and thought leaders from around the world. Many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing companies subscribe to the Advisor. To subscribe, click here. For terms and conditions, click here. For more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.
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Gene Kuleta
Editor
P. 202.463.2920
E. gkuleta@thedialogue.org
Carl David Goette-Luciak
Reporter
Nili Blanck
Reporter