Washington DC, USA – April 26, 2025: In a major move to strengthen regional security, INTERPOL and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have signed a letter of intent to foster greater collaboration in the fight against organized crime in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The agreement, signed by IDB President Ilan Goldfajn and INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza, lays the foundation for joint efforts to support the priorities of the Alliance for Security, Justice, and Development — an initiative launched in December 2024 and backed by INTERPOL through the Barbados Declaration.
Through this partnership, INTERPOL and the IDB will explore opportunities for knowledge sharing, technical assistance, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at disrupting organized criminal networks and strengthening national and regional security frameworks.
“There is no development without security. Strong institutions and safe communities are what make progress possible,” said INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza. “That’s why INTERPOL and the IDB are working together — to help create the secure environment Latin America and the Caribbean need to invest, grow and thrive.”
Echoing this commitment, IDB President Ilan Goldfajn stated, “This is a significant step toward building a safer, more resilient region. By combining INTERPOL’s global law enforcement reach with IDB’s development expertise, we can foster coordinated regional responses, strengthen institutions, and protect vulnerable populations from the harm caused by organized crime.”
The collaboration follows key recommendations from INTERPOL’s 2024 Americas Regional Conference, which emphasized the urgent need for enhanced cooperation to counter the growing complexity and violence associated with organized crime across the region.
Founded in 1959, the IDB has been at the forefront of driving sustainable and inclusive development in Latin America and the Caribbean, supporting 26 countries through strategic financing, technical support, and innovative solutions.
This new alliance marks a pivotal step toward ensuring that security and development go hand-in-hand, paving the way for a stronger, safer future for communities throughout the region.
