RUSI Conference Reflects on Key Challenges for Latin American Security


RUSI hosted its third annual Latin American Security Conference, opened by Baroness Chapman of Darlington, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Latin America.

The conference brought together senior policymakers and experts from academia, industry and think tanks to discuss the current and emerging challenges that threaten to disrupt the continent, including the uncertainty generated by a second Trump presidency. Participants focused on finding answers and identifying pathways to promote sustainable governance in the fields of defence and security in the region.

The conference’s panel sessions explored the effect of geopolitical upheaval – including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East – on Latin American security, how countries in the region should respond to the imperative of military modernisation, and how states can cooperate more effectively to address transnational organised crime on the continent.

In her opening address to the conference, Baroness Chapman said:

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Perhaps the fact that the UK has positive relationships in Latin America, the fact that it is a relatively safe, peaceful, democratic region, means the spotlight doesn’t rest on it all that often from here in the UK. But I see an open, growing, industrious region of the world, without which this government will find it that much harder to achieve our missions of growth, security and climate action. Looking across Latin America, the lesson is clear. Without security, you can’t have growth. And without growth, climate action is impossible.

Baroness Chapman of Darlington, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Latin America.

Reflecting on the conference, RUSI’s Senior Research Fellow for Latin American Security, Dr Carlos Solar said:

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The expansion of organised crime in the region and growing global threats have strengthened the importance of Latin American states developing collaborative, innovative and robust responses to the continent’s security challenges. Our third Latin American Security Conference provided an effective forum for hosting vital discussions on how government, academia, industry and other key stakeholders can work together to address these mounting challenges and trade-offs across the region.
Solar

Dr Carlos Solar

Senior Research Fellow, Latin American Security

Members can watch a recording of Baroness Chapman's keynote address here.

About RUSI’s Latin American Security Programme

RUSI’s Latin American Security Programme aims to offer policy solutions to address the risks of instability caused by the current shifts in international security and global re-ordering by looking at Latin America’s relationships with the UK, the US and other like-minded partners in Europe, Asia and Oceania. Our purpose is to encourage debate on the key security challenges facing Latin America and to outline ways to build global security and stability that can benefit the region.



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