TITLE:
Research and Development of Dual-Use Technologies in Latin America and the Caribbean as a Regional Evolution and Integration Tool
AUTHORS:
Luiz Fabricio Thaumaturgo Vergueiro, Mirlis Reyes
KEYWORDS:
Dual-Use Technologies, Integration, Latin America and the Caribbean, Research and Development
JOURNAL NAME:
Technology and Investment,
Vol.16 No.3,
July
4,
2025
ABSTRACT: Amid the 21st-century imperative of innovation, particularly evident within the defense sector, this paper delves into the challenges and prospects for Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries in enhancing their capabilities in dual-use technologies and collaborative alliances. The study emphasizes the heightened intensity of this phenomenon in defense, where military and dual-use technologies intersect with geopolitical dynamics in a global context marked by resurgent power rivalries. LAC nations, varying in developmental stages and constrained by economic shifts, face an urgent need to prioritize research and development (R&D) for dual-use technologies, warranting a serious consideration of innovation. The research delineates three country categories within LAC: those capable of autonomous dual-use technology production, those progressing towards that goal, and a third group contributing to the supply chain. Finally, this paper offers a timely exploration of LAC’s strategic opportunities, from innovation to collaboration, with the potential to shape the region’s defense landscape and broader global positioning.