Georgetown Americas Institute

Democracy across the Americas continues to be under threat. Elected leaders have adopted authoritarian tactics, eroding institutional checks and balances, attacking judicial independence, and undermining the legitimacy of electoral systems. Latin America, once a region of democratic promise, now faces rising levels of polarization, weakened rule of law, and growing public distrust in political institutions. As criminal organizations work to influence elections, judicial systems have been politicized and  their independence put at risk. What are the common challenges Latin American countries face in confronting impunity, restoring judicial independence, and ensuring accountability? How can the justice system serve as a bulwark against authoritarian drift rather than a tool for its consolidation? The Georgetown Americas Institute is pleased to host a conference examining the complex relationship between democracy, organized crime, and justice in Latin America and the Caribbean.