ADOLESCENT RECRUITMENT BY CRIMINAL FACTIONS IN AMAZONAS: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

The present study analyzed the recruitment of adolescents by criminal factions in the state of Amazonas and its impacts on public security, considering factors related to social vulnerability, urban violence, drug trafficking, and state absence. The research problem consisted of understanding how criminal organizations use adolescents in illegal activities and the consequences of this phenomenon for public security in Amazonas. The object of the study focused on the relationship between vulnerable youth, the expansion of criminal factions, and the fragility of social protection policies. For this purpose, a systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA protocol, with a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach. The searches were carried out in Google Scholar, SciELO, CAPES Journals, and national scientific databases, considering studies published between 2019 and 2025. At the end of the methodological process, 27 scientific articles were included in the systematic review. The results showed that youth recruitment by criminal factions is directly related to poverty, social exclusion, school dropout, family violence, state absence, and the strengthening of drug trafficking in the Amazon region. It was also found that adolescents are frequently used by criminal organizations in activities related to drug trafficking and territorial control. It was concluded that confronting youth recruitment requires integrated actions involving public security, education, social assistance, and preventive policies aimed at vulnerable youth in Amazonas.