Evading Law Enforcement in the Americas: Latin American women in organized crime

Abstract

This article presents the preliminary results of a qualitative exploratory study conducted between 2021 and 2023. This study was based on in-depth interviews with law enforcement agents and experts in gender and security, and document analysis. Using examples from Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, we aimed to analyze how stereotypes can shape gender bias, particularly regarding how women in middle and high-ranking positions in organized crime in the Americas outmaneuver law enforcement. We argue that women stereotypes, and gender bias may influence the capability of law enforcement agencies to prosecute and condemn Latin American women in middle and high-ranking positions in criminal organizations. Gender bias favors women, particularly in their perpetrators’ role, and has become a source of power, showing that Latin American women have agency, and act strategically within criminal organizations, since they are potentially less suspicious in the eyes of law enforcement agencies. This research contributes to shedding light on the currently existing blind spot on the role of Latin American women in organized crime in the Americas, and has policy implications. It is useful in fostering the implementation of state policies capable of including non-stereotypical women´s role in organized crime.