US gun policy: The yoke of Latin American violence

While violence waves in Central America are a highly discussed topic and cartels are often the center of Latin American security policy, the direct connection between the United States' domestic gun policies and violence in Latin America is a topic that receives relatively little attention.

Illicit arms trafficking stemming from the US to Mexico and Central America is one of the direct causes for the consolidation of cartels and the increase of violence. Arms coming from the United States flood Latin Americanankillingfields, and while the US government actively seeks reduction of violence through anti-drug trafficking policies, it turns a blind eye to the weapons leaving its borders.

Lax gun control policies are not just a 'behind the scenes' problem in the United States, as it has shown detrimental effects on the whole region. There is a necessity for a collective strategy between the US and Latin American governments in order to fight the cartel war and violence related to illegal arms trade.

The relationship between the American gun industry and Latin America's governance has stood since the 19th century. Since Mexico got its independence from the Spanish empire, legal and illegal arms trade with the United States, boosted by the US weapon industry and the Mexican American war of 1848, has endured. As some authors say, Mexico has had a longer and more destabilizing relationship with American guns than any country in the world.

Central American violence is equally long standing. The evolution of cartels, gangs and terrorist organizations has marked the region's history since the 1980's and 1990's. The 'maras' have terrorized the population with waves of violence, extortion, homicides and kidnappings. The 'maras' have terrorized the population with waves of violence, extortion, homicides and kidnappings. From drug trafficking to child recruitment, money laundering and arms trafficking, the criminal groups exercise their reign of terror in the Northern Triangle of Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras). Firearms are used in 75% of homicide in the regions and have become a central tool for gangs and criminal groups, enabling violence and fostering a culture of fear. The widespread availability of firearms has not only fueled extortion but has also deepened economic instability and eroded institutional trust.

Made in the US

It is then important to inquire where these weapons come from. A significant portion of these are remnants of civil wars, particularly in El Salvador and Guatemala. Yet, and more importantly, around 70%-80% of the weapons seized by Interpol operations dismantling gangs in Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean are manufactured in the United States. According to The Economist, in 2019 around 50% of Mexico's murder victims were killed by a gun manufactured in the United States.

The border between the US and Mexico is a central point for illegal arms trafficking, especially those coming from bordering states with lax gun acquiring policies. And while the Mexican American border is structured in a way that protects American interests, with high-level inspections and strict entering requirements to enter the US, the flow towards Mexico is highly unregulated, leaving a chance opening the door to the trafficking of all kinds of goods, including arms. As shown by infographics produced by Mexico Institute, Mexican government estimates that 70-90% of traced firearms originated from and passed through the US; US authorities calculate a lower rate of 68%, comprising 50% domestically produced and 18% imported into the US, and ultimately found in Mexico.

Gun trafficking across the border is reportedly "a child's play," leaving Mexico and all of Latin America vulnerable to the proliferation of firearms accessible to gangs and maras. It is however surprising that Latin American cartels rarely involve themselves directly in the importation of weapons. Instead the AFT states that the grand majority of arms traffickers from US to Mexico tend to be white (53%), male (84%), and US citizens (95%), with near-unrestricted access to the gun market.

The arms market in the United States is vast, with high power holding manufacturers and lobbyists, deeply entrenched in the nation's history, and dating back to the thirteen colonies. The amount of guns sold in the US in 2023 can be compared to the number of fast food restaurants all over the country. Acquiring weapons easily inside the United States has shown to be pretty problematic, not only for foreign policy purposes but also in domestic American politics.

The United States plays a direct role in Latin American violence, not only due to the aid provided to governments through the State Department to tackle violence. Paradoxically, the United States indirectly arms cartels and gangs in Mexico and Northern Central America. The flow of US-made firearms extends even south of Nicaragua or Panama. The longest stretch discovered by Interpol of arms trafficking reached South America, more specifically Paraguay and Bolivia.

This relationship often goes unnoticed, as discussions about arms trade in the Americas tend to focus on US assistance to countries like Colombia, Brazil, and Peru in upgrading their military arsenals to combat cartels and gangs. Yet, Latin American governments often disregard the origin of these weapons and recoil in the dimension of the US gun market. On the other hand, the US government limits itself to ATF reports, explaining domestic interstate gun trafficking. Under this mind-set, in 2019 President Trump transferred arms trade from the Department of State to the Department of Commerce, applying even more lax standards.

It is up to Latin American governments

With the US far away from modifying its Second Amendment right, it is up to Latin American governments to prevent arms trafficking that enables the perpetuation of violence. The strengthening of the border between US and Mexico seems only reasonable; this in a way that Mexico is protected from US traffickers aiding cartels. But even if the border is closed and trade is highly regulated, Latin American violence cannot be attributed to the mere acquisition of US weapons by criminal organizations. Cartel, gang and terrorist groups history and consolidation is entrenched in Latin American history with grievances that cannot be reduced to arms themselves. The United States plays a pivotal role in this quest for peace and cessation of violence, such is the case of aid to Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, and El Salvador.

Today, few Latin American governments have taken hard standards against cartels and gangs. In El Salvador for instance, the high volume of violence and gang control gave rise to iron fist policies of President Bukele. Although rightly criticized for Human Rights violations and democratic backsliding, Bukele's approach to maras' weakening has shown generally positive outcomes. From one of the most violent countries in the world in the mid 2010's to having one of lowest homicide rates of the Western hemisphere, El Salvador's harsh policies have restored internal security, highlighting the role of governments in protection of civilians.

The link between the US gun policy and Latin American violence is evident. Looser firearms acquisition regulations lead to an increase in trafficking across the border; once in Mexico and Central America, gangs have easier access to these weapons. The US gun policy cannot be understood as an exclusive domestic issue, as it has detrimental outcomes for the continent. Higher regulation both by the US and Latin American governments is necessary to tackle the 'war on cartels,' starting by cutting off the supply of perpetuating violence tools.