Various Central American countries and the Dominican Republic have launched a coordinated initiative to stop the illegal trafficking of weapons in the region, according to a statement from the Organization of American States (OAS).
Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and the Dominican Republic adopted the 'Roadmap to prevent the trafficking and illicit proliferation of arms, ammunition, and explosives,' an initiative backed by the OAS, the United Nations, and the European Union. This joint strategy is planned for the next ten years and includes strengthening regulations, coordination among countries, greater control over the trace of weapons, improvements in investigations, and enhanced prevention of violence.
Each country pledged to develop a national action plan aligned with these objectives, alongside the creation of a monitoring mechanism managed by the OAS. Ministers from these countries met in Washington to sign the creation of a new regional instrument.
In the words of OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro, this initiative represents a significant achievement in the security agenda in Central America and the Dominican Republic. Almagro stated: 'I am convinced that the Roadmap will be a key tool to support the governments of the region in their efforts to reduce the impact of armed violence and promote safer communities.'
According to the OAS, Central America and the Dominican Republic have a homicide rate that exceeds the global average, with a figure of 17.3 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023. In 2022, 80% of the homicides in the region were committed with firearms. The geographical position of this subregion makes it a strategic point for the trafficking of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, which fuels the levels of armed violence.
