NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Bahamas is among 18 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that have joined the Alliance for Security, Justice, and Development, an initiative launched by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to combat organized crime through coordinated regional action. The Alliance protects vulnerable populations, strengthens security institutions, and reduces illicit markets and financial flows.
The Alliance was officially launched at the Regional Security and Justice Summit in Bridgetown, Barbados, on December 11-12. This groundbreaking initiative unites governments, multilateral organizations, and civil society to address organized crime through evidence-based policies and concrete actions.
The countries participating in the Alliance include Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Uruguay. IDB President Ilan Goldfajn emphasized the need for bold, coordinated regional action to combat cross-border organized crime and enhance collaboration to protect communities, strengthen institutions, and curb illicit activities.
The Alliance will operate on three pillars: protecting vulnerable populations, strengthening security and justice institutions, and reducing illicit markets. Over 20 countries are involved in steering the initiative, supported by technical working groups advancing targeted efforts, such as curbing violence, trafficking, and enhancing security systems with technology.
In addition to government participation, 11 organizations have joined the Alliance, including the Organization of American States (OAS), INTERPOL, the World Bank, CAF (Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean), the Caribbean Development Bank, Caricom IMPACS, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Regional Security System (RSS), and the Italo-Latin American Institute (IILA). These organizations signal strengthened regional and global support for the initiative.
Ecuador will hold the first pro tempore presidency of the Alliance. At the same time, the IDB will serve as the Technical Secretariat, providing strategic support and facilitating resource mobilization for effective implementation through tailored regional mechanisms.
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