Óscar Naranjo: ‘Hardline strategies are not sustainable in the long term and devalue democratic values’

For more than four decades, General Óscar Naranjo has been one of the most authoritative voices on understanding the anatomy of violence in Latin America. His career is, in itself, a map of both the transformation and the limitations of states in the face of organized crime: he played a key role in the downfall of Colombia’s major cartels in the 1990s; led the intelligence services during the moments of greatest threat to his country; spearheaded police reforms that professionalized criminal investigations; and, as vice president, participated in the construction of peace agreements that marked a turning point in Colombia’s recent history. This combination of operational experience, strategic vision, and political skill made him an authority in the hemisphere, consulted by governments, international organizations, and academic centers seeking to understand why, despite years of effort, Latin America remains the most violent region in the world.

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