This article is written by María Fernanda Robayo, Political Scientist and Programme Officer at Club de Madrid. The opinions expressed in this publication belong solely to the author; they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the author's employer/organisation.

  • The problem: The implementation of measures to protect citizen security, sacrificing, if necessary, fundamental rights and democratic principles.
  • Why it matters: Amid global democratic regression and uncertainty, it's crucial to safeguard and reinforce democratic principles, showcasing that pro-citizen policies thrive best within democratic governance.
  • The solution: Citizen security, democracy and social development are interdependent elements that reinforce each other in the search for a better future for all. By recognising the importance of this link and working together to address the challenges facing our society, we can build a more secure, democratic and prosperous world.

In the social fabric of any country, citizen security, democracy and social development are inseparably intertwined. Each of these elements is fundamental to the well-being and stability of a society, and together they form the foundation on which a prosperous and equitable future for all is built.

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Although each country's context is different, and there are marked differences in some cases, it is also true that there are common themes or regional and global problems that affect more than one country. In the case of Latin America and the Caribbean, the increase in violence has taken over the national and regional agendas.

Citizen security in Latin America and the Caribbean

In this historic election year, the presidential and legislative contests have enormous implications for human rights, sustainable social development and governance in a volatile world. In current times of uncertainty and turbulence, it is natural that citizen security becomes a primary concern for governments and society in general. However, this focus on security can lead to a dangerous erosion of fundamental rights and democratic principles if not handled carefully and responsibly.

Citizen security continues to be one of the pending issues in Latin America and the Caribbean, so much so that the region is still consolidated as the most violent in the world.

In this context, organised crime is one of the violent factors, responsible for around half of homicides in Latin America and the Caribbean, where eight out of ten countries with the highest homicide rates in the world are located in the region. In addition to organised crime, insecurity and drug trafficking are added as the main challenges facing the region, according to the 2024 Political Risk Report.

We must remember that fundamental rights are the cornerstone of any democratic society and should not be sacrificed for the sake of so-called security.

Against this backdrop, governments in power have tried to take measures to confront this devastating situation which, in turn, undermines progress and development in the region.

Restricting freedoms in the name of citizen security

The problem comes when the discourse of citizen security is used to justify the adoption of measures that restrict individual freedoms in the name of public protection and undermine democratic principles and guarantees.

This is of particular concern if it occurs in a region such as Latin America and the Caribbean, where democracy has been suffering a setback, with recent and rapid declines in the democratic performance of countries such as El Salvador and Guatemala.

The presence of high levels of violence and crime undermines trust in democratic institutions and hampers efforts to address the root causes of poverty and inequality. So, we are in a vicious cycle: if poverty and inequality causes are not addressed, they create fertile ground for violence to thrive, perpetuating cycles of social unrest, instability and deprivation.

Latinobarómetro 2023 points out the region as vulnerable and open to populism and undemocratic regimes. Their data shows that 48% of Latin Americans support democracy as a political regime and, among the young population, an authoritarian regime receives more support.

The case of El Salvador is particularly relevant. President Nayib Bukele has managed to contain the gangs at the cost of a profound deterioration in freedoms and democratic guarantees, through an emergency regime established two years ago. The measures adopted in the name of citizen security have not only become tools of control and repression by an authoritarian regime, but Nayib Bukele has consolidated his power.

It is clear that if citizens perceive that the institutions charged with protecting them are ineffective or corrupt, they may be willing to give up certain freedoms in favour of more direct measures, even if these are authoritarian. However, the adoption of ‘strong-handed measures’ alone is not sustainable if governments do not adopt comprehensive poverty reduction strategies, social safety nets and policies to reduce inequality, create opportunities to help mitigate the risk of violence and build more peaceful and inclusive societies.

A call to protect democracy

In this pivotal electoral year, it is imperative to issue a resounding call to action in defence of democracy. Democracy serves as the foundational framework — both regulatory and political — to confront the root causes of insecurity and foster citizen engagement in the formulation of security policies and programmes.

The initial step entails fortifying democratic institutions to ensure their efficacy in delivering solutions that address the needs and challenges citizens face.

The challenge of insecurity exerts immense pressure on all governments and political stakeholders. While there exists no singular solution to the complex issue of citizen security, the crux lies in striking a delicate balance between enacting public policies geared towards social inclusion and implementing coercive measures.

In this regard, effective attainment of citizen security hinges on the deployment of robust strategies for social prevention and the implementation of public policies aimed at combatting inequality and exclusion. Concurrently, state coercion must be wielded with precision, adhering steadfastly to democratic principles and the rule of law.

Accountability is essential to ensure that measures taken in the name of citizen security are proportionate, necessary and in line with democratic standards. Furthermore, it is crucial to promote dialogue on the balance between security and individual rights.

It is necessary for all actors — civil society, media, business sector, academia — to maintain active vigilance over the actions of governments and law enforcement institutions.

Additionally, civic education plays a key role in this regard, as it empowers citizens to demand the protection of their rights and to denounce any abuse of power by the authorities.

Achieving this equilibrium brings us closer to fulfilling the UNDP's vision of citizen security, recognising it not merely as the reduction of crime, but as a comprehensive, multi-faceted strategy geared towards enhancing the quality of life for all. This entails fostering community action for crime prevention, ensuring access to a robust justice system and nurturing an educational ethos grounded in values, lawfulness and tolerance.

We must remember that fundamental rights are the cornerstone of any democratic society and should not be sacrificed for the sake of so-called security.

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