In the LVII Ordinary Meeting of the Migration Directors from the member countries of the Central American Integration System-Observatory of Migration (SICA-OCAM), held on Thursday, Ricardo Cucalón, Director of Migration and Foreigners, announced a pivotal decision. The leaders agreed to establish a comprehensive platform to share information regarding individuals engaged in illegal activities such as human trafficking and fraud.
According to Cucalón, El Salvador will contribute by sharing all pertinent migration information on individuals with legal issues who may be engaging in criminal activities in other SICA member countries. The creation of this platform is seen as a crucial step in fostering immediate cross-border collaboration to track down and apprehend criminals.
“This is a very significant reason because any criminal, scammer, thief, or coyote that we may be pursuing in Central America—if they move to any other country within the region, we will have immediate information that the person may be active in our country,” emphasized the Head of Migration.
The target date for the platform’s implementation is set for March 2024, ensuring that all migration directors will have access to this critical tool. Cucalón also highlighted another notable development discussed during the meeting—the issue of migratory pre-checks. While El Salvador already conducts such checks, efforts are being made to streamline processes across the region, potentially eliminating certain procedures to enhance freedom of movement in Central America.
Furthermore, as part of the meeting’s agenda, directors presented results and proposals contributing to the ongoing efforts for a regional approach to ensure orderly, safe, and regular migration. Cucalón emphasized that El Salvador’s contributions during its six-month presidency pro tempore of OCAM aligned with President Nayib Bukele’s vision of forging new paths toward genuine regional integration.
The director underscored key accomplishments in migration, including the extension of stay permits for foreigners to 180 days, the diligent work of Border Patrols enhancing national security, and the modernization of migration services. These strides reflect a commitment to building a more integrated and secure region.
As Central America and the Dominican Republic take this collective step towards enhanced cooperation, the platform’s implementation is eagerly awaited, heralding a new era of collaboration in the fight against transnational crime.