Invitations

Call for papers for Revista Criminalidad 67 – 1 

Special topic: adaptations and transformations of transnational organized crime

Guest editors of Universidad de la Salle  

Carlos Alfonso Laverde Rodríguez

Lorena Andrea Erazo Patino

Emerson David Devia Acevedo

Revista Criminalidad, as a benchmark for the publication of rigorous and high-quality studies in the field of criminological research developed with multidisciplinary approaches, announces its special issue framed in the "Adaptations and transformations of transnational organized crime".

Transnational organized crime (TOC) is one of the most urgent challenges to international security due to its economic and social impacts, as well as the threat it poses to state sovereignty. This problem is particularly acute in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, where there is a growing number of TOC activities, which have gained increasing influence in the region.

Aspects such as social norms and historical power relations in each state are part of a complex articulation of criminal organizations that have expanded in different ways and with varied impacts around the world. In this context, migration crises, changes in global economic dynamics, technological progress and new forms of cybercrime have been combined with structural problems of effective response by States, either due to the lack of knowledge of the new actors and their modalities, or due to the co-optation of certain State sectors that have facilitated the insertion of crime within the State.

This issue of Revista Criminalidad, the first of volume 67, will offer an empirical exploration, with research of high academic quality and methodological rigor, providing new perspectives on the development of transnational organized crime. It analyzes their new logics of development and operation, the articulation with political and social conjunctures of the region such as migration, as well as the new global economic dynamics that have provided fertile ground for the diversification of criminal dynamics.

Topics of Interest

Interested parties are invited to address, among others, the following topics:

1. Evolving Operating Strategies: Explore how criminal organizations have changed their operating methods, including the use of new technologies, diversification of illicit activities, and adaptation to security policies.
2. Impact of globalization and migration: analyze how globalization and migratory movements have facilitated the expansion and adaptation of criminal networks in the region, as well as the cross-border dynamics of organized crime.
3. New trafficking routes and modalities: investigate the new routes and modalities used for the trafficking of drugs, weapons, people, and other illicit goods, as well as the challenges that these new strategies pose for the authorities.
4. State Infiltration and Co-optation: Examine how criminal organizations influence politics, the economy, and government institutions, including cases of corruption and co-optation of public officials.
5. Cybercrime and technological crimes: study the increase in cybercrime and the use of advanced technologies by criminal organizations, including digital fraud, money laundering through cryptocurrencies or ransomware attacks.
6. Economics effects of crime: Assessing the impact of organized crime on local communities, the economy, and the public perception of security. This could include case studies on the impact in specific areas and analysis of how communities are responding.
7. State responses and international cooperation: analyze the policies and strategies adopted by Latin American governments to combat organized crime, as well as the effectiveness of international cooperation and collaboration networks between countries.
8. Media narratives and public perception: investigate how the media and public narratives about organized crime influence social perception and security policies, including the role of social networks and digital media.
9. Comparative perspectives: offer comparative studies between different countries in Latin America, identifying similarities and differences in the adaptation and transformation of organized crime in different national contexts.
 
 
Important dates
 
Deadline for submission of articles: September 30, 2024 
Expected publication date: January - April 2025