STATE AND CRIME ORGANIZED IN LATIN AMERICA: POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIPS AND COMPLICITIES

Abstract

The aim of this article is to propose that the weakness of the state has been a factor although not the only one, but the one that can explain the level of introduction of organized crime in Latin America. There are not many bibliographies about this subject focused on this problem,

and perhaps because of the fact that there are no failed states in Latin America (besides Haiti), the state is not considered important for the understanding and solution of this problem. Nevertheless, it is precisely state’s weakness, which is a general situation throughout the whole region, that converts Latin American states into more attractive places than the failed states for the implementation and the expansion of illegal activities of organized crime. This weakness can drive the states to a way of protecting the organized crime. This scenario helps to explain why this particular implantation of the crime organized exists in the region. Although it is necessary to differentiate the situation among the Latin-American countries.