Cybercrime in Latin America
Challenges for building effective security in the world’s most vulnerable region
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22433679 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Viachaslau A Tsimashchenia (0000-0002-0961-2244, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia), Evgeny Martynenko (0000-0003-4285-9959, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 272-285 |
| Publication date | 2026-07-08 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Vestnik RUDN International Relations (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2313-0660 • E-ISSN: 2313-0679 |
| Publisher | Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (PUBLISHER • RU) |
| DOI | 10.22363/2313-0660-2026-26-2-272-285 |
| OpenAlex | W7168356410 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 15 |
The issue of cybercrime in Latin America has reached critical levels, against a backdrop of the region’s technological lag, fragmented security strategies, and a growing reliance on foreign technological solutions. According to the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, the region ranks last globally (35.12 points), behind even African countries (37.25). This contradiction is exacerbated by the rapid annual growth in cyberattacks (25%) and limited public access to secure internet services (62%). The study aims to systematize the key challenges hindering the development of an effective cybersecurity system, focusing on infrastructure limitations, workforce shortages, and geopolitical competition for digital influence. The scientific novelty of the work lies in its combination of methods, including network influence analysis to visualize zones of technological dominance (the USA, China, the EU, Russia) and content analysis of 18 national cybersecurity strategies. The empirical foundation incorporates data from the International Telecommunication Union, the Inter-American Development Bank, IBM, and documents from regional organizations, such as the Organization of American States (OAS) and MERCOSUR. The results of this study reveal polarized approaches, ranging from centralized management systems (Brazil, Costa Rica) to hybrid models of digital sovereignty (Venezuela, Cuba), which blend national priorities with reliance on foreign technologies. The dominance of companies like Huawei (70% of 4G networks) and Microsoft (cloud solutions) has exacerbated vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. The reactive nature of measures is exemplified by Costa Rica, which saw a 446% increase in cybersecurity funding after 2022’s cyberattacks. The key conclusion of the study underscores the need for regional cooperation and harmonization of standards under the OAS framework through harmonized standards (CSIRT Americas) and enhanced public-private partnerships. Only 23% of organizations employ AI for data protection (17% below the global average). The study contributes to discussions on balancing geopolitical interests and collective security by proposing a more adaptive model for Latin America. Its core elements include targeted investments in fiber-optic networks, workforce training, and the integration of international best practices adapted to local contexts, with an emphasis on bridging the digital divide.
Critical infrastructure · Cybercrime · Globalization · Harmonization · Latin Americans · National security · Sovereignty · The Internet · Cybercrime and Law Enforcement Studies · Cybersecurity and Cyber Warfare Studies · Information and Cyber Security
Strategies for Digital Development of Key States of the Global South in the Context of U.S.-Chinese Technological Rivalry
China’s Digital Silk Road
Cybersecurity, cyberspace and cyberthreats at the beginning of the 21st century
Soberania digital
El Oligopolio Tecnológico Global, la periferia digital y América Latina
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |