The fight against drug trafficking unites Latin America and the Caribbean

The II Regional Workshop of Maritime Intelligence Units in Latin America and the Caribbean is currently underway in Buenos Aires (Argentina). This workshop is under the auspices of SEACOP, a project financed by the European Union and managed by FIIAPP, the aim of which is to support the fight against illicit maritime traffic and international criminal networks along the cocaine route (Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean). Moreover, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, both of which pertain to the English Caribbean region, are taking part for the first time.

These maritime intelligence and control units have already been in contact and cooperating with each other. Indeed, it is expected that their relationship will grow increasingly closer in the coming years, thereby resulting in greater operational quality and efficiency.

According to Eduardo Talavera, head of the SEACOP project, this workshop aims “to go beyond the practical exercises with a view to boosting communication dynamics between the different countries in their day-to-day work”. Other participating institutions also echoed Mr. Talavera’s viewpoint, for example Jordi García, representative of the EU Delegation to Argentina, highlighted the key role of SEACOP when it comes to establishing a “more effective multilateral commitment in the fight against drug trafficking”. Likewise, José Pereyra, director of Drug Trafficking Investigations with the Ministry of Security of Argentina, stressed that “this type of project should be prioritised in the fight against organised crime.”

The positive effects of the multilateral work promoted by SEACOP have yielded results, such as the drugs seizure last January in Cape Verde by teams formed within the framework of the project and supported by the Cocaine Route Programme (CORMS).