Presentation of the “Comparative Atlas of Defence in Latin America”, 2008 Edition
The armed forces in the region have developed their institutionality.
Since 2004, and motivated by the conviction that Latin America's problems can be solved through greater integration, the Latin America Security and Defence Network (RESDAL) has been publishing an annual Comparative Atlas of Defence in Latin America.
The work represents a comparative study of 16 countries in the region which tackles eight major thematic areas (legal frameworks, budgets, political conceptions, parliamentary powers, organisation of defence systems, ministries, education and armed forces), and helps to shed light on the complex nature of defence institutions in Latin America.
Narcís Serra, the president of the CIDOB Foundation, offered his congratulations to RESDAL on the publication which, thanks to the contribution of experts from different countries, generates a space for reflection and the exchange of information in order to strengthen the institutionality of State functions of security and defence within the framework of Latin American democracies.
Juan Rial - Director General of PEITHO – analysed the challenges for the armed forces in the region, at the same time as highlighting the advances that have been made in their institutionalisation, and the need to establish new missions within the current regional context. Meanwhile, Marcela Donadío, Executive Director of Regional Strategic Security (SER in 2000) and the co-editor of the Atlas, presented the volume's thematic areas by analysing a few specific cases. Furthermore, Rafael Martínez, a Professor at the University of Barcelona, stressed the usefulness of the publication as a tool for researchers and scholars of security in Latin America.