A recent mob attack underscores the need to recognize the gendered dimensions of violence in a critical election year.

Homicide rates have fallen steadily in recent years, but over a third of Brazil's public believe that violence has increased since Lula took office.

An overview of how homicide and other crimes are evolving in the region

President Noboa has deployed more than 30,000 soldiers and policemen to contain the chaos. While homicides have fallen, kidnappings and extortion remain high.

''It’s a no-win situation,'' said AS/COA's Eric Farnsworth to the Associated Press regarding the political instability of the country in the Caribbean sea.

"[President] Noboa is now faced with the urgent need for decisive action," says Estefanny Pérez Duque from AS/COA in Global Americans.

As cocaine flows to remoter markets, transnational illicit traffic poses a global risk.