05/05/2026
Our panel on drug policy in Latin America explored how drug control operates not only as policy, but also as narrative. A narrative that shapes legitimacy, defines enemies, justifies violence, and reflects deeper geopolitical and economic interests.
What became particularly clear is that illegal drug economies cannot be understood in isolation. They are embedded in legal structures, tied to broader market dynamics, and often sustained by structural inequalities, weak infrastructure, and limited economic alternatives. The discussion challenged simplified security centered approaches and asked what lies behind prohibitionist frameworks, what interests they protect, and why they so often fail to reduce violence.
Thank you to Prof. Dr. Thomas Grisaffi and Prof. Matías Dewey for this rich and engaging discussion, and to everyone who joined us.
