Crime in Latin America is a major problem. Political instability is a cause of widespread terrorism, which should be treated as a common crime. Other large-scale crimes include genocide of indigenous people to seize their land, car theft, organized crime activities such as illegal drug traffic, the white slave trade, and prostitution. The crisis in moral values and disintegration of the family due to urbanization and subtle mass media campaigns promoting consumerism, sensationalism and violence are causes of high rates of violent crimes and crimes against property. A criminal policy in the context of national development plans must be established. To this end the Latin American Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders has included in its short term goal a pilot project for much needed standardized statistics. In addition, to reform the criminal justice system, better training of personnel and education of the public is needed. Footnotes are included.