States is not the least interested in turning to violence to liquidate Venezuela's 'revolution.' Nobody is going to invade Venezuela. What is generally ignored is why Obama has taken this contradictory step that only serves to give Maduro a pretext for nationalism, increase repression and stir the Latin American hornet's nest. And yet, there are good reasons behind the move. Venezuela is indeed a risk to the security of the United States, not because it violated the democrats' human rights – that was the excuse – but because of three activities that are codified in the doctrinary definition that indicates where the danger to U.S. society begins or intensifies. Whoever wants to know the vision that prevails in Washington on this issue should read the book Reconceptualizing Security in the Americas in the 21st Century, with special attention to the chapter titles Venezuela: Trends in Organized Crime.

The Miami Herald

While Latin America currently does not present a threat to global security, a number of important security issues within the Americas result in pervasive threats to people’s lives…. This informative volume, which brings together contributions from all over the Americas, picks up on these diagnoses. It is a valuable addition to an increasing literature on nontraditional security issues in the Americas, which so far has concentrated mainly on citizen security, violence, and illicit activities like drug trafficking.

International Studies Review

Reconceptualizing Security, a project with University of Miami roots, brings together seventeen chapters on organized crime, drug trafficking, environmental challenges, and shared health issues, as well as several country case studies. The volume contains several excellent chapters.

Latin American Research Review

One is hard-pressed to find comprehensive studies on what is likely the number one challenge facing the region and U.S. policy: security. The editors of this book have filled an important academic and policy gap, providing in-depth analysis of the region's security agenda, with special focus on citizen security, violence and non-traditional issues such as energy, health, and migration. The depth and breadth of this issue and country-focused book is sure to be of great interest to scholars and policy-makers alike.

Frank O. Mora, Florida International University