The link between gun violence and migration is evident. If any US administration is serious about curbing migration, they need to stop the flow of US weapons that end up in the hands of gangs and cartels. Gun violence in Latin America and the Caribbean is a main driver of forced migration. Although there are no official wars in the region, there are war-like conflicts, particularly in Haiti and Mexico where gangs and cartels acquire high caliber, military grade weapons trafficked from the US, overwhelming local security forces.
As depicted in the flow chart, gun violence is at the core of a vicious cycle that drives countries into an unending spiral of economic downfall while providing an abundant flow of desperate people, fleeing for their lives. Migration of youth and educated professionals seeking refuge further exacerbates this polycrisis as nations lose their most precious assets. This dynamic correlation also works backwards as each factor feeds off each other, therefore any solution must be holistic in nature and enshrined in the principles of human rights and dignity.
Shortly after the US designated Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations, the Dominican Republic’s president followed suit declaring Haitian gangs as terrorists. It is yet unclear what will be the ramifications of these new labels; nevertheless, the recent seizure of guns headed to Haiti at the border with the Dominican Republic is a promising sign. We remain cautious about these new designations that could easily turn against the most vulnerable migrants who are forced to pay cartels to reach the US border. No matter how extreme US immigration policies become, the circular business of drugs, guns and migration is too lucrative to end unless the US administration and Congress put a stop to it by ending the trafficking of weapons.
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