In this episode, Jennifer Thornquest speaks with Nicolas Florquin, Head of Data and Analytics at the Small Arms Survey, about the transnational circulation and control of small arms in Latin America. Their conversation explores the drivers, risks, and regulation of military-style firearms across state and non-state spheres, with a particular focus on Brazil. Florquin discusses the dynamics behind both legal and illicit flows of these weapons, how they enter criminal markets, and the risks of diversion from authorised trade. Together they examine the broader project—Mapping the Transnational Circulation and Control of Small Arms in Latin America—which brings together research partners to understand how weapons circulate across borders, the socio-political dynamics shaping this circulation, and potential policy responses to reduce violence and strengthen cooperation.
What do we mean by “military-style firearms,” and why does such a focus matter for understanding patterns of violence?
How can governments and international actors bring the circulation of these weapons under greater control and prevent diversion into illicit markets?
In this episode, Jennifer Thornquest and Nicolas Florquin explore these questions and more—tracing the region’s complex relationship between authorised arms trade, criminal economies, and state regulation. The discussion also touches on the forthcoming outputs of the research collaboration and its strategies for dissemination to policy, practitioner, and research audiences.
🔗 Learn more about the project: Mapping the Transnational Circulation and Control of Small Arms in Latin America [https://armflowslatam.net/]
🔗 Learn more about the Small Arms Survey: www.smallarmssurvey.org/
🔗 Learn more about the Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding: www.graduateinstitute.ch/ccdp
Guest: Nicolas Florquin
Nicolas Florquin is the Small Arms Survey’s Head of Data and Analytics and a Senior Researcher. He employs innovative mixed methods to generate a better understanding of the illicit proliferation of small arms and its effects, illicit markets, and armed actors’ self-governance mechanisms. He led the Survey’s recent research on the illicit proliferation of privately made firearms and small-calibre ammunition and has overseen the design and implementation of several projects dealing with the Caribbean and Latin America since 2020. He holds a PhD from the University of Brighton's School of Applied Social Sciences.
Host: Jennifer Thornquest
Jennifer (Gigi) Thornquest is a researcher and lead strategic communications professional at the Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding (CCDP) at the Geneva Graduate Institute, where she also produces the CCDP Spotlight podcast. Her research explores participatory arts as a form of peacebuilding, with particular attention to the intersections of migration, education, and community resilience.
The CCDP Spotlight Podcast is produced by the Geneva Graduate Institute’s Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding (CCDP).
Producer & Host: Jennifer Thornquest
Music: Eli Stonemets