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💣 Rethinking Militarized Budgets in Latin America

​In response to the UNODA Call for Inputs on the impact of military expenditure on the Sustainable Development Goals, Ágora has actively contributed to shaping the conversation on militarized public budgets in Latin America. Our work includes:

  • Hosting a side event during the 34th session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ).

  • Submitting a research paper, “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).

  • Sharing insights and policy recommendations highlighted in UNODA’s Milex website.

📄 Research and Publications

When Butter Builds Bullets explores the historical and structural consequences of militarized drug control in Latin America. Key findings include:

  • Rising military expenditure in the region often occurs under the guise of peacebuilding and foreign aid.

  • Human rights violations—including extrajudicial killings, forced displacement, and suppression of civil liberties—frequently accompany increased military presence.

  • Socioeconomic setbacks emerge when development budgets are redirected toward armed forces rather than social programs.

  • The paper highlights the need to reassess military spending through the lens of human security, development, and justice.

Keywords: war on drugs, militarization, militarism, Latin America, human rights, development, peacebuilding, military expenditure

📖 Read the full paper →

🎤 CCPCJ Side Event: May 22, 2025

Ágora organized a virtual panel during the 34th CCPCJ session, gathering academics, human rights defenders, former military officers, youth activists, and policy experts to discuss the impact of militarized public budgets in Latin America.

Key panels and speakers included:

  • Félix Madariaga – Journalist and democracy advocate, highlighting the costs of militarization and authoritarianism.

  • Julio Yao – Panamanian internationalist, reflecting on U.S. interventionism and military bases in the region.

  • Dr. Gustavo Flores Macías – Cornell University, analyzing punitive populism and institutional erosion caused by military deployment.

  • Dr. William Marcy – U.S. independent researcher, historical perspective on the war on drugs and regional militarization.

  • Daira Aguilar – Global Thought (Mexico), proposing feminist and community-centered alternatives.

  • Per Ortega – Justícia i Pau (Spain), calling for stronger civilian oversight and peace education.

  • Pablo Ruiz Espinosa – SOAWatch-Chile, framing military budgets as repression against Indigenous peoples.

  • Juliana Villano – Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil), advocating for demilitarization and social justice.

  • Carmen Capriles – Reacción Climática (Bolivia), linking extractivism, energy transition, and militarization.

This event provided a platform for dialogue between researchers, communities, and policymakers, emphasizing the need to redirect public resources from militarization toward peace, human rights, and sustainable development.

🌐 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.

  • Youth and 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.

🎥 Explore the Event

On this page, you will find:

  • Video presentation of the CCPCJ side event

  • Full transcript capturing debates, recommendations, and key insights

These resources provide direct access to the discussions and allow the public, policymakers, and civil society to learn from affected communities and contribute to solutions.

🤝 Join the Effort

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Support Ágora’s advocacy for peaceful, human-centered budgets in Latin America.

Collaborate with us to:

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  • Strengthen transparency in military expenditures

  • Promote policies that prioritize human security

  • Build networks for sustainable development and peace

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