SICA

Central American

Integration System

• Background

  In 1991 the Protocol of Tegucigalpa was signed, which led to the formation of the Central American Integration System, replacing the former Organization of Central American States (ODECA).

   

  Four years later, in 1995, the Framework Treaty on Democratic Security in Central America was signed as a complementary tool to the Tegucigalpa Protocol. The Treaty gave rise to the democratic security model and instituted the Central American Security Commission as a subsidiary body subordinate to the Meeting of Presidents and the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

• Members

  Member states: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

  Dominican Republic is an associate member.

   

  Regional Observers: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and the United States.

   

  Extra-regional Observers: Australia, China (Taiwan), European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, South Korea, The Holy See, the United Kingdom

   

   

• Bodies

  SICA’s bodies include a Central American Parliament, Consultative Committee, Executive Committee, Central American Court of Justice, and the Secretary General.

   

  Within the field of security and policing, one can highlight:

   

  Central American Security Commission

  This Commission is responsible for the implementation, evaluation and monitoring of proposals, agreements and resolutions in all matters relating to regional and international security. It is formed by the vice ministers of Foreign Affairs, Public Security and/or Interior, as well as National Defense of each country.

   

  Commission of Police Chiefs of Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean

  The commission was formed in July 1992 under the name of the “Association of Police Chiefs of Central America”. In 2007, the Commission was formed in its current form, integrated by 13 police forces from 12 countries and 8 observers. The Presidency rotates between member States. Its objective is to reduce crime and violence in the region, and as part of this they meet to coordinate regional security operations

  

• Central American Security Strategy

  Following the development of the 2007 strategy, in 2011 a new Strategy was launched with the following components:

  

CARSI

Central American Regional Security Initiative

• Overview

  Born in 2008 as part of the Merida Initiative (which sought to combat drug trafficking and organized crime in Mexico), CARSI is a cooperative regional security program that finances programs ranging from technical assistance and training, strengthening institutional capabilities and effective State presence, to preventive programs that employ educational and alternative opportunities to address underlying causes of crime and violence. In 2010, it became an independent program, albeit implemented in coordination and as a complement to other security initiatives in the wider region, including the Merida Initiative, Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) and Colombia Strategic Development Initiative. It is one of the primary instances of cooperation between the United States and Central America in the area of security and defence

• Main Objectives

  1. Create safe streets for the citizens of the region;

   

  2. Disrupt the movement of criminals and contraband to, within, and between countries.

   

  3. Support the development of government capabilities.

   

  4. Re-establish effective state presence, services and security in communities at risk.

   

  5. Foster enhanced levels of coordination and cooperation between the nations of the region, and the international community.

   

   

  

• CARSI Funding

   

  

International Law Enforcement Academy:

El Salvador

International Law Enforcement Academy:

El Salvador