Rethinking Militarized Budgets in Latin America
Exploring the relationship between military expenditure, sustainable development, and human rights in the region.
Ágora is a dedicated contributor to the international dialogue on the relationship between military expenditure and sustainable development, prominently featured within the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Military Expenditure (Milex) Initiative.
Our research and advocacy, which emphasizes the disproportionate impact of militarized budgets on social justice and development in Latin America, was specifically included in the inputs for the Secretary-General's analysis, "The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future."
Research Publication
Our flagship publication, "When Butter Builds Bullets: Increased International Cooperation for Development, Rising Military Expenditure, and Human Rights Violations in Latin America's War on Drugs" (March 2025), explores the historical and structural consequences of militarized drug control in the region.
Key Findings
Development Trade-offs
The redirection of development budgets toward armed forces, often disguised as peacebuilding and foreign aid, leads to severe socioeconomic setbacks across the region.
Impact on Human Rights
Increased military presence frequently results in human rights violations, including suppression of civil liberties and forced displacement of communities.
Reframing Security
The research underscores the need to reassess military spending through the lens of human security, development, and justice rather than geopolitical interests.
CCPCJ Side Event — May 22, 2025
We carried out a virtual panel during the 34th UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, gathering academics, human rights defenders, former military officers, youth activists, and policy experts to discuss the impact of militarized public budgets in Latin America.
Panelists & Speakers
Félix Madariaga
Journalist & Democracy AdvocateHighlighting the costs of militarization and authoritarianism in Central America.
Julio Yao
Panamanian InternationalistReflecting on U.S. interventionism and military bases in the region.
Dr. Gustavo Flores Macías
Cornell UniversityAnalyzing punitive populism and institutional erosion caused by military deployment.
Dr. William Marcy
U.S. Independent ResearcherHistorical perspective on the war on drugs and regional militarization.
Daira Aguilar
Global Thought, MexicoProposing feminist and community-centered alternatives to militarized security.
Per Ortega
Justícia i Pau, SpainCalling for stronger civilian oversight and peace education across the region.
Pablo Ruiz Espinosa
SOAWatch-ChileFraming military budgets as instruments of repression against Indigenous peoples.
Juliana Villano
Federal University of Santa Catarina, BrazilAdvocating for demilitarization and social justice in the Brazilian context.
Carmen Capriles
Reacción Climática, BoliviaLinking extractivism, energy transition, and militarization in Latin America.
Key Takeaways
Transparency Matters
Sharing information on national military expenditures builds trust among states and strengthens confidence-building mechanisms.
Military Spending Impacts the SDGs
Excessive military budgets undermine public health, education, social equity, and sustainable development goals.
Youth & Civil Society Must Be Heard
Engagement in discussions about militarization ensures policies reflect human needs, not only strategic or geopolitical interests.
Policy Recommendations
Redirect budgets from arms to social programs, strengthen civilian oversight, and prioritize human security over militarized security.