Efforts to Combat Terrorism Worldwide and Addressing Crime in South Africa and Mexico

The threat from radical groups and violent extremists is increasing, according to police in the US and UK. Meanwhile, counterterrorism forces are encountering a concerning number of individuals who are not driven by any hidden ideology but are instead drawn to violence. Young people are being lured into online extremism through conspiracy theories, the influence of “hostile states” like Russia, and the divisive political climate.

Even Mexico’s largest corporations are facing extortion from drug cartels, and gangs are seeking to control the sale, distribution, and prices of certain goods. This has put prominent business leaders at risk and is negatively impacting sectors from agriculture, fishing, and mining to consumer goods, resulting in a slowdown of the Mexican economy. For instance, Femsa, the operator of Oxxo, Mexico’s largest convenience store chain, has shut down all 191 of its stores and seven gas stations in the city of Nuevo Laredo due to gang-related issues.

In contrast, South Africa has made progress in combating crime. Despite having one of the highest per capita murder rates globally, law enforcement has successfully dismantled numerous gangs and confiscated over 260,000 illegal firearms along with large quantities of drugs over the past five years.