The Emergence of a New Control Model in Latin America
Latin America is currently experiencing a significant shift, evolving into what some observers describe as a primary laboratory for a tech-driven form of societal control. This development is marked by the convergence of extreme corporate deregulation, the widespread implementation of biometric surveillance technologies, and a pronounced geopolitical alignment with certain global powers. The relocation of prominent figures from the tech industry to the region, alongside the palpable influence of specific political ideologies in recent electoral cycles, signals a potentially transformative period for the continent.
This emerging paradigm is reportedly being embraced by traditional elites who see it as a means to re-establish historical hierarchies and diminish the progress achieved by social movements. Proponents of this approach often frame it through the lens of “law and order,” which, critics argue, can serve as a pretext for racial profiling and the suppression of dissent.
Electoral Controversies and the Rise of Right-Wing Politics
Recent electoral events in Latin America have drawn attention to these concerns. In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro voiced allegations of cyber-interference during the presidential run-off. Similarly, in Peru, candidate Roberto Sanchez raised claims of fraud following Keiko Fujimori's victory. While these claims have not been legally substantiated, the outcomes in both instances saw the election of far-right candidates who advocate for stringent crime policies, maintain close ties with the United States, and support the integration of artificial intelligence into law enforcement and security frameworks.
This trend is viewed by some as an extension of historical doctrines, now reinvigorated with a contemporary twist. The United States National Security Strategy explicitly outlines its objective to expand its network of regional allies, aiming to solidify its position as the preferred economic and security partner in the Hemisphere. This strategy, once executed through military interventions or financial pressures, now appears to leverage a combination of political financing and sophisticated surveillance infrastructure provided by Silicon Valley entities. The novelty lies in the deep integration of these tech corporations within governmental structures, a phenomenon observed even within the United States, where critical military functions have been transferred to private tech firms.
Argentina: A Case Study in Tech-Supremacism
Argentina has emerged as a particularly salient example within this evolving landscape. The relocation of Peter Thiel, a co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, to Buenos Aires, coincides with the administration of Javier Milei, which has introduced an incentive framework for artificial intelligence investments. This framework, known as the Super RIGI, is characterized by deregulation, limited liability, and a competitive tax environment. Critics argue that these provisions offer significant corporate benefits, facilitating an extractivist model that includes cheap energy, customs exemptions, and the exploitation of critical resources like water and land to support global data processing infrastructure.
The underlying philosophy shared by some tech-supremacists and Milei’s administration is rooted in a belief in Western superiority, often equated with a specific interpretation of capitalism as synonymous with freedom, understood as a market economy free from government intervention. Milei’s public praise for the Dutch East India Company (VOC), a historical entity that merged corporate and governmental power, further illustrates this perspective. The VOC, which amassed wealth through colonial exploitation and slavery, is presented by Milei as a precursor to limited liability, a concept he views as fundamental to capitalism's development and Western dominance. In this context, the Super RIGI is seen by some as a legal mechanism for foreign entities to operate within Argentina with similar broad powers.
Surveillance Technologies and Social Control
Concurrent with these economic and political developments, Argentina has also seen the expansion of its biometric surveillance capabilities. The Ministry of Human Capital announced the creation of a “Social Digital Twin,” a platform designed to analyze patterns, simulate scenarios, and project outcomes of public policies. While the specific providers of this technology remain undisclosed, concerns have been raised regarding operational mechanisms, algorithm training, data protection, bias mitigation, and human oversight. A formal request for information by members of the National Congress has yet to receive a response.
The deployment of these technologies disproportionately affects racialized populations. Experts note that predictive policing tools, which rely on arrest records and crime data, often embed racial biases due to historical over-policing in marginalized communities. In a related development, Argentina’s Ministry of Security signed an agreement with the FBI to utilize the CODIS genetic profiling software and expanded mandatory genetic registration to all indicted citizens, not just those convicted. The Mayor of Buenos Aires, Jorge Macri, announced the city's participation in a new DNA Bank for criminals, alongside the implementation of a selective system governing movement, residency, and access to rights based on territorial, social, and racial criteria. This has been coupled with urban segregation initiatives, such as “Operation Wall,” described as a barrier against the “barbarism” of suburban areas.
The Intellectual Infrastructure of Tech-Supremacism
This new paradigm relies on an intellectual framework that promotes notions of Western supremacy, emphasizes “borders and order,” and criminalizes racialized populations and social protest. Think tanks and academic centers serve as platforms for former Latin American leaders and right-wing figures to strategize and disseminate these ideas. The internal justification for these policies often involves the construction of an internal enemy, which conveniently aligns with historically marginalized groups, reflecting enduring colonial structures.
Ultimately, the concern is that the true impact of these trends in Latin America lies not in their potential for technological advancement, but in their function as instruments of oppression. The perceived submission of regional elites to powerful tech entities is viewed as a surrender of national sovereignty, driven by a resistance to the democratic progress of racialized majorities. By privatizing social control, establishing biological databases of citizens, and ceding natural resources to support foreign technological infrastructure, some argue that local oligarchies are willing to transform their nations into algorithmic protectorates to maintain their entrenched privileges.
