TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Bonilla-Mejía, Leonardo
AU  - Bracco, Jessica
AU  - Gonzalez, Andres Ham
AU  - Peñaloza-Pacheco, Leonardo
        TI  - Is Drug-Related Violence Fueling Emigration from Central America?
        PY  - 2025/Jul/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 18028
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/index.php/publications/dp18028
        AB  - We study how drug-related violence affects emigration from Central America, a region with rapidly rising migration to the United States. Using multiple data sources, we apply an instrumental variables strategy based on proximity to drug-trafficking routes and coca production in Colombia. We find that violence significantly increases intentions, plans, and preparations to emigrate—especially to the U.S.—with stronger effects among young and high-skilled individuals. Mediation analysis suggests this response is driven by declining economic activity and, more importantly, deteriorating labor market conditions caused by escalating violence.
        KW  - drug trafficking
KW  - violence
KW  - economic activity
KW  - labor markets
KW  - migration
        ER  -