{"id":62436,"date":"2026-08-04T10:12:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T09:12:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ihedn.fr\/?p=62436"},"modified":"2026-08-04T10:13:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T09:13:42","slug":"sialc-2026-lihedn-renforce-la-cooperation-entre-lamerique-latine-la-caraibe-et-la-france-face-aux-trafics-illicites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ihedn.fr\/en\/notre-actualite\/sialc-2026-lihedn-renforce-la-cooperation-entre-lamerique-latine-la-caraibe-et-la-france-face-aux-trafics-illicites\/","title":{"rendered":"SIALC 2026: IHEDN strengthens cooperation between Latin America, the Caribbean and France in the fight against illicit trafficking"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For its tenth edition, the International Session for Latin America (SIAL) is officially becoming the International Session for Latin America and the Caribbean (SIALC). This name change reflects a natural evolution of the programme: it recognises that Latin America and the Caribbean constitute a closely linked strategic region, facing common challenges in the areas of security, organised crime, regional cooperation and development.<\/p>

This development also reflects France\u2019s commitment to the region. Together with Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Saint Martin and Saint Barth\u00e9lemy, France is fully integrated into regional dynamics. It protects nearly 1.1 million citizens there, has an exclusive economic zone of 1.2 million km\u00b2, two permanent armed forces, around 3,000 military personnel, 1,500 police officers and gendarmes, around twenty naval vessels and around ten aircraft. This is France\u2019s largest military presence outside European territory.<\/p>

This base serves several key purposes: combating illegal gold panning (Operation Harpie) and trafficking, protecting the Guiana Space Centre, conducting maritime and aerial surveillance, providing relief to the population during natural disasters, and developing security cooperation with regional partners.<\/p>

This cooperation is based, in particular, on operational partnerships with Brazil, Suriname and Guyana, as well as regional organisations such as CARICOM or the Regional Security System<\/em>, as well as with the United States within the framework of the Joint Interagency Task Force South.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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A new identity for a region facing shared strategic challenges<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The choice of the theme \u00abIntegrated action against trafficking and strengthening regional security\u00bb comes against a particularly worrying security backdrop.<\/p>

Latin America, with a population of nearly 660 million, and the Caribbean, with a population of around 45 million, are now home to the vast majority of global cocaine production. According to the UNODC\u2019s World Drug Report 2024, Colombia accounts for nearly 70 % of global production, ahead of Peru and Bolivia, forming the \u00abAndean triangle\u00bb. Added to this threat is the rise in other forms of trafficking linked to cannabis, synthetic drugs and methamphetamine.<\/p>

Criminal organisations exploit the main shipping routes linking South America to North America, the Caribbean, Europe and West Africa. The French West Indies and the Guiana Shield therefore occupy a strategic geographical position along these routes.<\/p>

In addition to drug trafficking, these networks also fuel arms trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering and corruption, thereby causing long-term damage to the institutions and stability of states in the region.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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A week-long training course to develop a collective response<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Gathered in Martinique from 29 June to 3 July, 90 civilian and military officials, experts and decision-makers from numerous countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and France shared their experiences with a view to developing joint responses to transnational threats.<\/p>

Featuring a mix of lectures, round-table discussions, field visits and committee work, the session provided an opportunity to address the entire chain of measures to combat illicit trafficking.<\/p>

Discussions centred on the evolution of criminal networks, new investigative techniques, criminal intelligence, the protection of sources and witnesses, illicit financial flows, corruption, international judicial cooperation, border surveillance technologies, the security of maritime and airspace, defence cooperation, and prevention policies targeting young people.<\/p>

The committee\u2019s work was the highlight of the session. The auditors put forward a number of concrete recommendations aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in relation to several priorities:<\/p>