Latin American nations implement new security and social protocols

Various Latin American nations are implementing new strategies to combat crime and improve institutional order. In Chile, the government launched ‘Operación Cancerbero,’ a massive security operation led by Gendarmería to transfer high-risk inmates, including 40 members of organized crime groups and nine leaders, to the La Laguna Penitentiary Complex in Talca. Experts note that while isolating leaders aims to prevent them from directing gangs from prison, it may also lead to criminal fragmentation or territorial wars.

In Ecuador, organized crime and state forces are engaging in a technological struggle for aerial control. Criminal groups are increasingly using drones for territorial control, while the National Police and Armed Forces utilize unmanned technology to track gang leaders like those from Los Lobos and Los Choneros.

In Mexico, the Secretaría de Educación y Deporte (SEyD) has initiated a multi-stage strategy for ‘Harmonious School Coexistence’ for the 2026–2027 cycle. The plan focuses on implementing new regulatory frameworks, including protocols for preventing violence against children and protecting teachers, to foster peaceful school environments across various regions.

Additionally, discussions regarding transnational organized crime highlight the difficulty states face in managing criminal networks that operate beyond national borders, often outpacing local institutional resources.