WASHINGTON, USA – On Wednesday, security ministers and high-level officials from seven Central American nations and the Dominican Republic convened at the Organization of American States (OAS) headquarters to adopt the “Roadmap to Prevent the Illicit Trafficking and Proliferation of Weapons, Ammunition, and Explosives”. This new regional framework aims to bolster capabilities against one of the most significant threats to security and development in the region.
This initiative, aimed at fostering regional cooperation, will promote vital strategies to combat the transnational challenge of illicit arms trafficking. The participating nations—Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and the Dominican Republic—committed to a collaborative ten-year strategy based on four key action areas:
• Enhancing regulations and inter-country coordination;
• Managing the complete lifecycle of weapons;
• Improving investigations and prosecutions related to trafficking;
• Reducing violence involving firearms.
Each nation will create a National Action Plan (NAP) in coordination with the OAS to transform regional commitments into specific actions. The OAS will provide technical assistance for implementing the Roadmap, supporting the establishment of national coordination mechanisms, advanced border control technologies, and regional information exchange systems.
The Roadmap also introduces a follow-up mechanism designed to ensure monitoring and evaluation to measure its effectiveness. Importantly, it emphasizes violence prevention initiatives in educational institutions and communities, alongside campaigns promoting the voluntary surrender of firearms.
The signing ceremony featured notable attendees including the minister of interior and police of the Dominican Republic, representatives from several nations’ security ministries, and high-ranking officials from regional organizations.
OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro stated: “This day marks a significant advancement in the security agenda for Central America and the Dominican Republic. The Roadmap is expected to support our governments in their endeavors to mitigate armed violence and foster safer environments for citizens.”
UN Assistant Secretary General Izumi Nakamitsu highlighted that the Central American Roadmap’s holistic approach will deepen connections between disarmament and development, making it the first to prioritize the prevention of gun violence as a core pillar.
Despite progress made in recent years against armed violence and illicit arms trafficking, Central America and the Dominican Republic still face challenges, with a homicide rate surpassing the global average. In 2022, firearms were used in four out of five homicides, underscoring the urgent need for this initiative in a region strategically situated for arms trafficking.
This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts such as the Caribbean Roadmap and draws on successful models like the Balkan Roadmap. Participation from international community representatives, civil society organizations, and development banks during the meeting signifies a strong collective interest in addressing gun violence in the region.
