Facing the crisis of citizen security poorly weakens democracies in the region.

Facing the crisis of citizen security poorly weakens democracies in the region Concerns about the state of democracy in Latin America were underscored by Marcela Ríos Tobar, the new regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean of International IDEA, during her recent visit to Lima. In a conversation with various media outlets, Ríos Tobar expressed her concern about the growing deterioration of democracies in the region, citing the World Report on Democracy published by International IDEA last year. According to Ríos Tobar, the region is experiencing a process of democratic regression and weakening of democracies, in contrast to the democratic stability that had been achieved two decades ago. One of the key factors in this regression, she pointed out, is the weakness of political party systems as effective representatives of society. Corruption has also played a decisive role in the loss of citizens' trust in politics and democracy. Corruption scandals have undermined the credibility of political actors and have generated a skeptical view towards the ability to solve collective problems through politics. A worrying fact is that only 48% of Latin Americans consider democracy to be the best form of government, and an increasing percentage of people believe that under certain circumstances an authoritarian regime could be acceptable. This trend is particularly pronounced among young sectors, posing a challenge for the future of democracy in the region. Another aspect highlighted by Ríos Tobar is the difficulty for states to effectively address the urgent problems of citizens, especially in terms of citizen security and social protection. The regional director of International IDEA warned that addressing crime in Latin America requires complex solutions and effective cooperation between countries, as crime has become internationalized through transnational networks. In this context, Ríos Tobar emphasized the importance of promoting a security agenda in Latin America that guarantees respect for institutions, the strengthening of the rule of law, and the balance of powers. She warned that mishandling the security crisis not only jeopardizes the integrity of individuals, but also weakens the rule of law and democracies in the region. In conclusion, the concern to contain the authoritarian populist wave should be shared by all those who value democracy as a system of government. Faced with the weakening of democracies in the region, it is essential to act decisively to preserve and strengthen democratic principles for the benefit of all Latin American societies.