ABSTRACT
There is a global crisis of governance, and only a few states provide legitimate, orderly, and effective governance. This crisis was exacerbated in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic and the massive economic dislocation that accompanied it a dislocation that wiped out the economic gains of the preceding decade and is likely to have serious long-term consequences for Latin America. The contemporary crisis of governance throughout much of Latin America is the result not only of historical factors but also of continued elite choices based on narrow notions of self-interest rather than broad conceptions of the public interest. Nevertheless, most of the focus is on the hotspots and the organized violence perpetrated by gangs and drug trafficking organizations (DTOs). It is clear through much of the preceding analysis whether discussing corruption, violence, or contested spaces that DTOs and gangs are inextricably linked to the crisis of governance.
