In an unprecedented effort, eighteen countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) announced on Thursday (12.12.2024) the creation of the Alliance for Security, Justice and Development, an initiative led by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The objective is to jointly address the growing challenges posed by organized crime in the region.
The official announcement took place in Bridgetown, Barbados, marking a milestone in regional cooperation. The Alliance will be based on three fundamental pillars: protect vulnerable populations, strengthen security and justice institutions, and reduce illegal financial markets and flows. It will also promote evidence-based policies and concrete actions to achieve its objectives. Participating countries are: Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Uruguay.
"“Organized crime operates across borders, and therefore requires bold and coordinated regional action. Improving collaboration is essential to protect communities, strengthen our institutions and discourage illicit activities throughout the region.”, stressed Ilan Goldfajn, President of the IDB. He also highlighted that this Alliance will allow for the establishment of strategic partnerships and the mobilization of key resources to amplify the impact of national and international efforts against crime.
The cost of crime in the region
Crime and violence have a significant impact on the development of LAC countries. According to the IDB study entitled "The costs of crime and violence: expansion and updating of estimates for Latin America and the Caribbean”, the direct costs Crime costs rose to 3,44% of regional GDP in 2022, an alarming figure that has remained constant since 2019. This amount represents almost 80% of the public budget allocated to education. The Caribbean was the subregion where these costs were highest in 2022, reaching 3,83% of GDP, followed by Central America (3,46%), the Andean Region (3,22%) and the Southern Cone (3,2%).
In addition, the study analyzes the indirect costs, such as declining investment, lower business productivity and increased migration. Key sectors such as tourism are also severely affected by insecurity, which hampers the region's growth potential and overall well-being.
Governance
To carry out the proposed objectives, the Alliance will be led by a steering Committee and will have three technical groups in which more than 20 countries will participate. These units are already working on specific initiatives, such as:
- Reducing violence and trafficking in vulnerable communities.
- Improving security systems through technology and international collaboration.
- Reducing illicit markets through advanced tools and increased regional coordination.
The IDB will act as Technical secretary of the Alliance, providing strategic support and contributing to the mobilization of resources to implement effective interventions. In the Caribbean, actions will be developed through One Safe Caribbean, a branch of the Program of the BID ONE Caribbean 2024-2028, which will ensure alignment with broader initiatives and simplified processes.
Ecuador will assume the first pro tempore presidency of the Alliance, leading initial efforts.
Multi-sector alliance
According to the IDB, the Alliance has the support of at least once international organizations, including: Organization of American States (OAS), International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), World Bank, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), Caricom IMPACS, among others.
This broad multi-sectoral support reinforces the regional and global commitment to the fight against organized crime, an urgent need. In this regard, Goldfajn stressed: “Tackling crime and violence requires not only resources, but also a firm and unwavering political will.". (Study “The costs of crime and violence: expansion and updating of estimates for Latin America and the Caribbean”)
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