Global Military Spending Rises Again: Implications for Latin America

Military expenditure worldwide reached an astonishing $2.8 trillion in 2025, marking a 2.9% increase from 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This marks 11 consecutive years of growth, driven primarily by increased defense spending in Europe and Asia, despite a 7.5% decrease in U.S. military spending. In Latin America, military spending fell to $72 billion, a 6.3% drop from the previous year, with Brazil being the only country in the region to increase its defense budget. The report highlights that U.S. spending still dominates the region, accounting for 90% of military expenditures, while other countries like Mexico and Colombia saw reductions, raising questions about the region's military trends amidst global unrest.

Key Details: • Global military spending reached $2.8 trillion in 2025. • Latin America's military expenditure is $72 billion, down 6.3% from 2024. • Brazil increased its military spending by 13% to $23.9 billion. • Mexico's military budget decreased by 33% to $13.6 billion. • The U.S. represents 90% of military spending in the Americas.