Description

Book Synopsis

The Handbook of Latin American and Caribbean Intelligence Cultures explores the contemporary efforts of Latin American and Caribbean nations to develop an intelligence culture. Specifically, it analyzes these countries’ efforts to democratize their intelligence agencies (i.e. to develop intelligence services that are both transparent and effective) to convert the former military regimes’ repressive security apparatuses into democratic intelligence communities—a rather paradoxical task, considering that democracy calls for political neutrality, transparency, and accountability, while effective intelligence services must operate in secrecy. Indeed, even the most successful democracies face this conundrum of democracy and intelligence; Latin America and the Caribbean region is not alone in facing this challenge. The legacy of the repressive military regimes or brutal civil wars—which have inspired in the public a general disdain toward intelligence services due to the grave human rights abuses—coupled with politicians’ persistent lack of interest or expertise in intelligence matters complicate the region’s quest for a proper balance between the competing demands of democracy and intelligence. This volume details the attempts of the region’s countries to overcome these obstacles and pursue democratic intelligence institution building—transforming the legal basis for intelligence; establishing democratic control and oversight mechanisms; and fostering intelligence openness, transparency, and outreach.



Table of Contents

Preface - Peter Gill

Acknowledgements

Introduction - Florina Cristiana Matei, Eduardo Estévez, Carolyn Halladay, with Richard Elmore

Part I: Established democracies

Chapter 1: Colombia - Jason Blazakis

Chapter 2: Mexico - Marcos Pablo Moloeznik

Part II: New democracies

Chapter 3: Argentina - Alejandra Otamendi, Germán Gallino & Eduardo Estévez

Chapter 4: Bolivia - Eduardo Estévez

Chapter 5: Brazil - Marco Cepik

Chapter 6: Chile - Clay Oeffinger, Shane Moran & Florina Cristiana Matei

Chapter 7: Ecuador - Fredy Rivera Vélez & Renato Rivera Rhon

Chapter 8: Peru - Victor Ray

Chapter 9: Uruguay - Nicolás Alvarez

Chapter 10: Costa Rica - Gerardo Hernández Naranjo, Marco Vinicio Méndez Coto & Carlos Humberto Cascante-Segura

Chapter 11: Guatemala - Eduardo Estévez

Chapter 12: Bahamas-Trinidad Tobago-Jamaica - Kevin Peters

Chapter 13: Paraguay - Eduardo Estévez &Florina Cristiana Matei

Chapter 14: El Salvador - Eduardo Estévez

Part III: Non-Democratic Regimes

Chapter 15: Venezuela - Jacques (Jake) Suyderhoud & Florina Cristiana Matei

Chapter 16: Cuba - Brendan de Brun

Conclusion - Thomas C. Bruneau

Bibliography

About the Authors

The Handbook of Latin American and Caribbean

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    A Hardback by Florina Cristiana Matei, Carolyn Halladay, Eduardo E. Estévez

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      Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 28/07/2022
      ISBN13: 9781538160817, 978-1538160817
      ISBN10: 1538160811

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      The Handbook of Latin American and Caribbean Intelligence Cultures explores the contemporary efforts of Latin American and Caribbean nations to develop an intelligence culture. Specifically, it analyzes these countries’ efforts to democratize their intelligence agencies (i.e. to develop intelligence services that are both transparent and effective) to convert the former military regimes’ repressive security apparatuses into democratic intelligence communities—a rather paradoxical task, considering that democracy calls for political neutrality, transparency, and accountability, while effective intelligence services must operate in secrecy. Indeed, even the most successful democracies face this conundrum of democracy and intelligence; Latin America and the Caribbean region is not alone in facing this challenge. The legacy of the repressive military regimes or brutal civil wars—which have inspired in the public a general disdain toward intelligence services due to the grave human rights abuses—coupled with politicians’ persistent lack of interest or expertise in intelligence matters complicate the region’s quest for a proper balance between the competing demands of democracy and intelligence. This volume details the attempts of the region’s countries to overcome these obstacles and pursue democratic intelligence institution building—transforming the legal basis for intelligence; establishing democratic control and oversight mechanisms; and fostering intelligence openness, transparency, and outreach.



      Table of Contents

      Preface - Peter Gill

      Acknowledgements

      Introduction - Florina Cristiana Matei, Eduardo Estévez, Carolyn Halladay, with Richard Elmore

      Part I: Established democracies

      Chapter 1: Colombia - Jason Blazakis

      Chapter 2: Mexico - Marcos Pablo Moloeznik

      Part II: New democracies

      Chapter 3: Argentina - Alejandra Otamendi, Germán Gallino & Eduardo Estévez

      Chapter 4: Bolivia - Eduardo Estévez

      Chapter 5: Brazil - Marco Cepik

      Chapter 6: Chile - Clay Oeffinger, Shane Moran & Florina Cristiana Matei

      Chapter 7: Ecuador - Fredy Rivera Vélez & Renato Rivera Rhon

      Chapter 8: Peru - Victor Ray

      Chapter 9: Uruguay - Nicolás Alvarez

      Chapter 10: Costa Rica - Gerardo Hernández Naranjo, Marco Vinicio Méndez Coto & Carlos Humberto Cascante-Segura

      Chapter 11: Guatemala - Eduardo Estévez

      Chapter 12: Bahamas-Trinidad Tobago-Jamaica - Kevin Peters

      Chapter 13: Paraguay - Eduardo Estévez &Florina Cristiana Matei

      Chapter 14: El Salvador - Eduardo Estévez

      Part III: Non-Democratic Regimes

      Chapter 15: Venezuela - Jacques (Jake) Suyderhoud & Florina Cristiana Matei

      Chapter 16: Cuba - Brendan de Brun

      Conclusion - Thomas C. Bruneau

      Bibliography

      About the Authors

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