Across large regions of Hispanic America—and increasingly throughout the Western Hemisphere—politics can no longer be understood without analyzing public security, organized crime, and territorial control. Elections are held, speeches multiply, and promises abound, but in many territories real power is not exercised by the State.
The advance of organized crime is not merely a law-enforcement problem; it is a political, economic, and territorial phenomenon that conditions democracy, distorts electoral competition, and redefines who truly governs. Where the State loses control, criminal structures emerge that impose rules, collect “taxes,” regulate daily life, and in many cases decide who can run for office and who cannot.
In this context, continuing to analyze politics solely through polls, slogans, or ideologies is insufficient—and dangerous.
Public Security: The New Decisive Variable of the Vote
Insecurity has become one of the electorate’s main concerns. But beyond public perception, something deeper is at stake: the loss of the State’s legitimate monopoly on force, the capture of institutions, the normalization of illegal economies, and the distortion of electoral processes.
In contexts where organized crime controls territory, elections may be formal, but they are hardly free. Electoral violence, illicit financing, voter intimidation, and forced abstention are symptoms of a weakened democracy.
Organized Crime as a Political Actor
Today, criminal groups no longer operate only in the shadows. They act as de facto political actors, influence public agendas, negotiate with those in power, and in some cases replace the State. This compels us to ask an uncomfortable but necessary question: who really governs in certain territories?
Answering it requires specialized training, strategic analysis, and an understanding of the phenomenon beyond ideological slogans.
Politik Institute Launches a High-Level International Program
In response to this reality, Politik Institute, an international consultancy specializing in political analysis, security, and electoral strategy, announces the launch of its International Program on Public Security, Organized Crime, and Territorial Control, aimed at:
• Political candidates
• Campaign advisors
• Public officials
• Analysts and journalists
• Social leaders and decision-makers
The program combines political diagnosis, security, and strategic communication, with a comparative and practical approach applicable to real-world scenarios in Hispanic America and the United States.
International Speakers
The program will feature experts with recognized regional and international experience.
Rogelio Rivas (El Salvador)
Former Minister of Justice and Public Security. Specialist in combating organized crime, security policies, and territorial control.
Luis Contreras (El Salvador)
Expert and analyst in security, political strategy, communication, and crisis management in high-conflict environments.
Dr. María Herrera Mellado (Spain and United States)
Attorney, PhD in Legal Sciences, political analyst, and expert in institutional diagnosis, electoral processes, and democratic governance.
Program Structure and Module Breakdown
Political Diagnosis and Electoral Scenario
Speaker: Dr. María Herrera Mellado
Analysis of the impact of security, organized crime, and territorial control on elections, governance, and democratic legitimacy, from a comparative legal and political perspective.
Public Security and Organized Crime
Speaker: Rogelio Rivas
Understanding modern organized crime, state capture, illegal economies, and the real challenges to public security.
Electoral Campaign Strategy and Design
Speaker: Rogelio Rivas
Designing viable political campaigns in contexts of high insecurity, criminal pressure, and institutional risk.
Message, Narrative, and Digital Political Marketing
Speaker: Luis Contreras
Building strategic messages, controlling the public narrative, and digital communication in polarized environments.
Political Warfare and Crisis Management
Speaker: Luis Contreras
Managing political and security crises, political warfare, media attacks, and strategic responses for leaders and candidates.
A Program to Understand Real Power
This program does not seek comforting speeches or simplistic solutions. Its goal is to train leaders, analysts, and candidates capable of reading reality as it is, anticipating risks, and making informed decisions in complex scenarios.
In a context where security defines the political future of Hispanic America, ignorance is no longer an option.
For registration, go to this link: Ficha de Inscripción 2026 -MHM
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About The Author
Maria Herrera Mellado
María Herrera Mellado es una abogada y analista política muy respetada. Licenciada en Derecho en EE.UU. y España, también tiene un doctorado en Ciencias Jurídicas y varios títulos de la Universidad de Granada (España), de la Universidad de Arizona y de la Florida International University. Con amplia experiencia en derecho internacional, asesoría en inversiones, representación en inmigración, y protección de la privacidad y lucha anticorrupción, ha asesorado a organizaciones y políticos europeos, estadounidenses e hispanoamericanos. Ha escrito sobre seguridad nacional e inmigración, protección de datos, derecho constitucional, consumo financiero y derecho bancario en revistas internacionales y coescribió libros publicados en Perú y Colombia. Es reconocida por su servicio comunitario en EE.UU. y es considerada una de las mujeres más influyentes de Florida. Es experta en varios idiomas y participa frecuentemente en debates en canales como Univisión, Fox, France 24, Telemundo y es la Editora Jefe de Gateway Hispanic.
