Security in South America
A Security Contractor View from South America.
There are many positives about doing business or travelling in South America, indicating that with the right approach, South America can be both manageable and rewarding. On the other hand, making the right preparations to ensure security in South America is a wise choice. It is considered to be one of the more dangerous areas of the world.Introduction to Security in South America
In this blog post, we are taking an in-depth look at security in South America, the most dangerous continent in the world and a risky area to visit or do business in. We’ll examine the geopolitical and cultural influences on crime and provide some insight, advice and guidance based on our experience as a security company with a strong presence in South America.
South America, with its diverse political landscape, has long been a hotspot for volatility, shaped by a mix of historical, economic, and social factors. The continent’s 12 nations cover a variety of governance styles ranging from fragile democracies to authoritarian regimes, each with its unique challenges.
The Statistics
South America faces significant challenges related to crime and violence that can impact its risk profile for visitors and businesses. Here are some statistics that illustrate this:
Homicide Rates
Latin America and the Caribbean (which includes South America) have a regional homicide rate of 18 per 100,000 inhabitants, which is three times the global average of 5.6 per 100,000 (UNODC, 2023). Within South America, countries like Venezuela have reported rates as high as 82 per 100,000
Organised Crime
Approximately 50% of homicides in the Americas are linked to organised crime, compared to 24% globally. In South America, this is driven by drug trafficking (UNODC, 2023) and gang activity, notably in countries like Brazil, where 57,358 murders were recorded in 2018 and Colombia, a major cocaine producer. Durán in Ecuador, currently the world’s most violent city, had a murder rate of 148 per 100,000 last year. Gang-on-gang violence accounts for most of the homicides.
Economic Impact
Crime and violence cost Latin America and the Caribbean 3.44% of GDP annually (IDB, 2022), with private businesses bearing 47% of this burden through security expenses. Direct crime costs can reach about 7% of annual sales, rising further in areas with gang or drug trafficking presence.
Business Climate
One in four companies in the region views crime as a serious or very serious constraint to operations (World Bank, 2018). In Brazil, for example, violent crime hotspots like Rio de Janeiro see high rates of armed robbery and carjacking, limiting investment and perpetuating poverty.
Tourism Risks
In popular destinations, crime affects safety perceptions. At the time of writing, Venezuela has an 80.68 crime index rating (Numbeo, 2025), while cities like Rio de Janeiro and Guayaquil, Ecuador, report rising rates of petty theft and violent crime, with Guayaquil seeing a 158% homicide rate increase between 2020 and 2021.
Guayaquil, Ecuador, is considered to be one of the most dangerous cities in the world
Victimisation
About 30% of households in Latin America and the Caribbean experienced a crime in the past year, and 51% of the population feels unsafe, compared to a 20% global average (World Values Survey, 2017–2022). This insecurity can disrupt both travel and business activities.
Image courtesy 0f Numbeo 2025
The Causes
Political instability
As an international security contractor operating in South America, we’ve witnessed firsthand how political instability can threaten businesses, affecting everything from crime rates to business operations. South America, with its diverse political landscape, has long been a hotspot for volatility and sudden change.
Political instability is often the primary cause of rising crime rates across the continent. Corruption scandals, contested elections, economic instability, and widespread poverty lead to frequent government collapses. The resulting power vacuum tends to weaken law enforcement and judicial systems, meaning that proper consequences for criminal activity are more or less absent.
In countries like Venezuela, where prolonged political turmoil has eroded state authority, organised crime groups have flourished, capitalising on the chaos to expand drug trafficking, extortion, and kidnapping operations.
Similarly, in Colombia, despite progress in recent years, flare-ups of political unrest have historically led to guerrilla factions, criminal syndicates and opportunistic criminals seeking to exploit the situation by targeting businesses operating in the country.
In countries like Bolivia and Peru, regional rivalries and conflict between rural and urban environments cause constant unease. In countries like Venezuela and Nicaragua, authoritarian leaders have clung to power despite economic ruin and international pressure.
Operating as a security contractor in South America means accepting that political instability tests our ability to protect clients in fluid, high-stakes settings. By staying vigilant, building resilience in security operations, and always having a backup plan, we help navigate the turbulence and lessen the impact on our clients.
Poverty and Inequality
Poverty and inequality in South America are closely tied to the region’s high crime rates. Extreme poverty affects about 13%, or roughly 60 million people, mainly concentrated in rural areas and urban slums.
Poor areas often feature inadequate infrastructure, weaker official institutions and less policing. Poverty also fuels desperation. The lack of jobs or education pushes people toward black economies, including crime. An assumption that can be drawn from studies undertaken by organisations like the World Bank suggests a 10% rise in inequality correlates with a 5–10% homicide rate increase in Latin America.
Poverty and inequality don’t just coexist with crime, they drive it, creating a revolving cycle where increased violence undermines economic stability, especially in urban centres like Guayaquil or São Paulo. Stable exceptions like Chile show that reducing these gaps can lower crime rates, but progress is slow across the continent.
Speed of Change
Things can deteriorate very rapidly in South America. Take, for example, Ecuador. In 2019 Ecuador was regarded as relatively safe compared to some Latin American neighbours, with a thriving tourism industry. While it wasn’t free of crime, its levels were significantly lower than in countries like Colombia or Venezuela at that time. The homicide rate was under seven per 100,000
Go forward 4 years to 2023 and reports from Ecuadorian authorities and organisations like InSight Crime estimate 8,008–8,009 intentional homicides. With a population of around 18 million, this translates to an incredible increase in the homicide rate to approximately 44.5–44.9 per 100,000.
For those of us in the security industry, this is a region where the ground beneath our feet can shift dramatically, often with little notice.
The impact on business
The impact of uncertainty around security disrupts supply chains, delays investment decisions, and undermines confidence in local markets. In our experience, multinational companies operating in South America often face extortion attempts or sabotage during periods of unrest, particularly in resource-rich areas like Peru or Bolivia, where protests and disputes over mining or energy projects can escalate quickly.
Smaller local firms struggle with inconsistent regulations, government corruption, or sudden shifts in government policy, making long-term planning difficult.
How Security Contractors in South America Mitigate Risk
Mitigating risk needs a proactive and layered approach and security contractors do a lot more than simply using guards to protect people and businesses from crime
First, situational awareness is critical. Monitoring local news, maintaining contacts within communities, and understanding triggers, such as controversial elections or austerity measures, allow us to anticipate trouble before it breaks out.
Second, physical security measures must be effective and yet flexible. This might involve reinforcing site perimeters, deploying advanced security technology and monitoring services, arranging safe transport routes, and providing close protection and secure transportation. Security guards and security specialists must be robustly vetted and trained to high standards.
Third, communication is key. Ensuring clients have reliable, encrypted channels to coordinate with security teams can make all the difference when protests or violence block roads or shut down cities. Above all, staying adaptable, and ready to scale operations up or down as the situation demands, keeps risks manageable.
Contingency Planning
A good contingency plan prepares for short and longer-term threats.
Initially, it would cover security and evacuation protocols, alternative supply routes, and emergency communication networks.
It should also plan for worst-case scenarios, like a complete breakdown of government or local infrastructure or a sudden spike in local disputes leading to road blockades and fuel shortages. A well-prepared plan, regularly updated and rehearsed, ensures that when the unexpected hits, we’re not reacting from scratch but executing a proven strategy.
Is There Hope for South America?
While South America’s security landscape is undeniably challenging, there are positive aspects that offer hope and opportunity to local communities, travellers, businesses and those of us operating in the region as international security contractors.
The security landscape in South America isn’t all doom and gloom. Some countries like Chile and Uruguay stand out as relatively stable, with strong democratic institutions, low corruption levels, and much lower levels of internal conflict compared to their neighbours. There is resilience and potential for development in some regions of the continent.
Chile’s robust economy and well-regulated business environment attract multinational firms, creating a demand for security services that can operate in a more predictable setting.
Uruguay, meanwhile, boasts one of the lowest crime rates in South America, offering a safe regional base for companies expanding into South America to build sustainable strategies without the constant threat of upheaval.
Economic diversification is also starting to improve the security outlook in countries like Peru and Brazil. They are gradually reducing their economic dependence on raw commodities by investing in technology, tourism, and manufacturing.
Peru’s developing tourism sector around Machu Picchu has created jobs and infrastructure improvements, indirectly lowering petty crime in some areas.
Community spirit is another underappreciated strength. Across South America, local populations have shown remarkable adaptability in the face of high crime. For example, in Bolivia, communities have developed informal networks to protect their land from illegal mining or logging, often filling gaps left by a lack of state resources.
Advice for Travellers and Visitors in South America
Here’s a simple bullet list of travel advice for visitors to South America:
- Consider employing the services of a security contractor for a bodyguard or close protection specialist when travelling to particularly dangerous destinations
- Keep your valuables hidden. Use a money belt or secure bag, and don’t flash expensive items like phones or cameras in public.
- Stick to busy, well-lit areas at night. Avoid quiet streets or shortcuts, especially in big cities.
- Use trusted transport. Take licensed taxis or use apps like Uber and avoid unmarked cars or random lifts however cheap they may seem
- Watch your drinks. Don’t leave them unattended in bars or clubs to avoid theft or tampering.
- Learn basic Spanish or Portuguese. A few words can help you get by and ask for help if needed.
- Check local crime hotspots. Research your destination on government travel sites for up-to-date travel warnings.
- Avoid carrying lots of cash. Use cards where you can, and only take out what you need for the day.
- Stay alert in crowds. Pickpockets target busy places like markets, transport hubs, or tourist spots.
- Keep copies of your passport. Store one separately from the original in case it’s lost or stolen.
- Respect local customs. Dress simply and follow local rules to blend in and avoid trouble.
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