Hence the need for some explanation of its specific causes and background and why certain types of violence are prevalent in particular regions or countries.Īlthough Latin Americans might be broadly accustomed to violence and crime, the particular configuration of violence that the different countries have experienced since the 1980s has given rise to major concern among citizens and governments.

Violence is a persistent feature of Latin American history and in many places is now so widespread that it cannot be ignored. The distressing thing about this violence is not just its myriad manifestations, but also its nature and extent.

A high incidence of crime, the proliferation of violent youth gangs, the prevalence of domestic violence, violence related to drug trafficking or money laundering as the burning issues of the day come on top of more historical forms of violence in the form of persistent civil wars, guerilla movements and death squads, state terrorism and dictatorships, social uprisings and violent revolutions (Bodemer, Kurtenbach, and Meschkat 2001 Briceño-León 2001, 2007 Cueva Perus 2006 Davis 2006 Fajnzylber, Lederman, and Loayza 2001 Fischer and Krennerich 2000 Frühling and Tulchin 2003, 2005 Munck 2008 PAHO 1996 Pécaut 1997 Petrissans Aguilar 2005 Romano 2005 Vision Mundial 2003 Rotker 2002 Salama 2008 Stanley 2009). No other region in the world shows higher homicide rates, no other region shows such a variety of different types and forms of violence. Latin America has long been a violence-prone continent. At the end, the causes, costs, and consequences of violence for the Latin American societies are addressed. After a short introduction and some remarks on the historical development of violence, the main part of the article deals with the recent rise of violence in the region. As a literature review, it summarizes the main findings of academic research on violence in the different Latin American countries, thus providing additional insights into the major topics and research interests of Latin American and international institutions. The focus is on the recent explosion of violence and crime since the 1980s. This article gives an overview of the historical development of violence in Latin America and the Caribbean, examining its specificities and changes. Political violence, guerilla movements and civil wars, bloody revolutions, brutal dictatorships, domestic violence, criminal violence, and youth violence are all well known throughout history. No other region of the world knows higher homicide rates nor has such a variety of violence.

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