IDB and INTERPOL Deepen Partnership against Organized Crime

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) signed a letter of intent to launch a new partnership focused on building capacities in law-enforcement agencies to address organized crime in Latin America and the Caribbean. Building on INTERPOL’s existing role as a partner in the Alliance for Security, Justice, and Development, the agreement marks a new phase in operational cooperation between the two institutions.

The collaboration will lay the foundation for potential areas of interest in the region to more effectively tackle transnational organized crime, such as strengthening law-enforcement capacity, addressing the growing threat of environmental crimes, and promoting systematic knowledge exchange across countries.

This initiative will advance the priorities of the Alliance for Security, Justice, and Development, a regional platform of 22 countries, for which the IDB is technical secretariat. It is built on three pillars: protecting vulnerable communities from violence and recruitment, strengthening institutions across security, justice, and other key sectors, and disrupting illicit financial flows and criminal markets.

“Organized crime is evolving –  and so must our response. This partnership bring together INTERPOL's global law-enforcement network with the IDB's development expertise to strengthen institutions, disrupt illicit markets, and protect vulnerable populations across Latin America and the Caribbean,” said IDB President Ilan Goldfajn. 

“There is no development without security. Strong institutions and safe communities are what make progress possible. That’s why INTERPOL and the IDB are working together –  to help create the secure environment Latin America and the Caribbean needs to invest, grow, and thrive,” said Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL’s Secretary General.