![In Latin America, democracy may be threatened by an embrace of using the military to fight crime and violence.](https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/latin-america-democracy-crime-military-mexico-ecuador-argentina-07312023-1.jpg?w=519&h=259&crop=1)
Latin America is trending toward more militarized security strategies, a trend that could be consolidated by elections across the region in the coming 18 months. As one consequence of civilian governments and publics embracing hard-line security approaches, the region’s militaries could become more powerful and politically influential.