A political backlash is sweeping Latin America as rising crime and extortion fuel support for conservative populists adopting strong-arm tactics, marked by a recent summit with President Trump and regional leaders.
At the start of this decade, Latin America leaned left as progressive politicians gained power amid public outrage over inequities worsened by the pandemic. Now, a political backlash is brewing.
Rising crime and extortion have fueled support for conservative populists using strong-arm tactics against crime and immigration. This shift was on full display at the recent Shield of the Americas Summit held at Trump National Doral Miami in Florida, where President Donald Trump posed for a group photo with several Latin American leaders, including Paraguay President Santiago Peña, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, Bolivia President Rodrigo Paz Pereira, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, and Argentina President Javier Milei.
The summit underscored a growing alignment between the Trump administration and right-leaning governments in the region, focusing on security and economic cooperation. In Ecuador, the government has deployed soldiers to patrol neighborhoods in Quito, where they briefly detain youths to check for gang-related tattoos. This harsh approach reflects a broader trend across Latin America, where governments are adopting militarized responses to gang violence and organized crime.
Meanwhile, in Chile, President Jose Antonio Kast signed a decree to deter irregular migration along the northern border with Peru and Bolivia. The measure is part of a wider crackdown on migration that has seen migrants, mostly from Venezuela, waiting to cross into Peru at the Chacalluta border crossing point in Arica. Kast, a conservative populist, has made immigration control a cornerstone of his administration, mirroring policies seen in the United States and other parts of the world.
The political landscape in Latin America has shifted dramatically since the early 2020s. Countries like Honduras and Costa Rica have seen changes in leadership, with Honduran President Nasry Asfura and Costa Rica President-elect Laura Fernandez shaking hands during the inauguration ceremony of Chile's President Jose Antonio Kast in Valparaiso. The region's move to the right is not uniform, but it is gaining momentum. Support for conservative populists has been fueled by public frustration with crime and economic instability.
In El Salvador, President Nayib Bukele's tough-on-crime policies have made him a popular figure among those seeking security, even as critics raise concerns about human rights and democratic backsliding. This political realignment has significant implications for US foreign policy, trade, and immigration dynamics, as the new administrations push for stronger border controls and tighter security partnerships. The shift away from left-leaning governments is also evident in the response to migration crises.
Chile's harsh stance along its northern border is emblematic of a broader regional trend. Peru and Bolivia have also adopted stricter immigration measures, leading to long waits and humanitarian concerns for migrants, many of whom are fleeing poverty and violence in Venezuela. The change in political winds has been accompanied by a rise in nationalist rhetoric and a focus on law and order.
At the Shield of the Americas Summit, leaders discussed joint efforts to combat transnational crime and secure borders, reflecting a shared agenda that aligns with the Trump administration's priorities. However, critics argue that the heavy-handed tactics could exacerbate human rights issues and fail to address the root causes of migration and crime.
The coming years will be crucial in determining whether this conservative wave can deliver on its promises of security and prosperity, or whether it will lead to increased instability and social unrest
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