This working paper analyzes the dynamics of organized crime in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), aiming to advance its conceptual understanding and identify potential courses of action for governments in the region. It reviews diverse interpretations—academic and normative—of organized crime, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of how violence, illegal markets, and weak governance interact and reinforce one another.

Also, the paper examines some of the region’s most prevalent illegal markets—particularly those closely linked to violence and homicides—exploring the variety of criminal actors, their evolving structures, and their influence over politics and territorial control. It presents national and subnational case studies that reveal how illegal economies are rooted in historical and socioeconomic contexts and often intertwined with fragile state institutions.

The document concludes with a series of recommendations to strengthen state capacity, enhance knowledge of criminal dynamics, and promote coordinated, long-term strategies. It underscores that effectively addressing organized crime in LAC demands sustained political will and regional cooperation.