El Salvador, in its role as the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Central American Integration System (SICA), has successfully advanced regional mechanisms to combat organized crime and drug trafficking, with the support of member countries. This initiative continues to yield significant results for the progress and well-being of the region.
One of the noteworthy accomplishments is the unanimous approval by the Foreign Ministries of each member nation of the Regional Intersectoral Plan against Organized Crime (PRICCO) and its operational platform. This proposal was recently endorsed during an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of SICA, further solidifying regional cooperation.
The primary objective of this initiative is to consolidate efforts that enable collective and effective action against transnational criminal structures. This aims to ensure peace and well-being for the population while improving their quality of life and living conditions.
El Salvador, which has taken substantial steps in this direction under the leadership of President Nayib Bukele, has prioritized the approval and implementation of this instrument to create a safer region.
In this high-level session, modifications were also accepted to establish a more efficient and functional mechanism to combat the production, trafficking, and illicit consumption of drugs and other prohibited substances, aligned with the interests and needs of the region.
«The Regional Intersectoral Plan against Organized Crime and its operational mechanism are now a reality. With this, our countries will have more agile and effective coordination to take action against transnational organized crime, as well as against drug trafficking,» stated the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
She emphasized that through these actions, «we will promote our region to become an international reference in terms of integration and security.»
Additionally, the official reiterated El Salvador’s commitment to contributing its experience in combating organized crime to SICA.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the regional institution, Werner Vargas, expressed that the System will foster close coordination between national and regional security institutions and other stakeholders, including ministries, prosecutors, and law enforcement agencies. This coordinated effort aims to implement this plan and other instruments effectively, with the goal of continuing to build a better region and a brighter future for the population.