Arms trade in Latin America and the Caribbean region between 2008-2020

Abstract

Arms trade affects the expansion of the military potential of a country, and thus, its international military stature. Indirectly, it is also connected with the treaties involving armaments control, in particular, the ones pertaining to arms transfer and military equipment. The military stature of Latin America and the Caribbean countries is extremely diversified. In addition, some of these countries have undertaken the modernisation of their armies, which is linked to arms purchases. Consequently, it leads to the emergence of various sub-regional arms races. Despite the existence of territorial and border disputes, the region is considered to be stable and the risk of an international military conflict outbreak is low. On the other hand, predominant, non-military threats of internal nature, existing in Latin America and the Caribbean, have a considerable impact on maintaining the homeland security. These problems translate to the level of arms trade in the region. In the following article, the approach of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean towards the treaties involving armaments control have been analysed. Due to the complexity of this issue, only the most significant problems concerning export and import of arms and military equipment will be characterised. Moreover, the main suppliers of military technology to the countries of the region will be listed.