At the Regional Security and Justice Summit in Buenos Aires, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced a historic commitment of $2.5 billion in loans over the next three years to strengthen citizen security in Latin America and the Caribbean. The funding will focus on community protection, institutional strengthening, and efforts to curb illicit financing, marking a new phase of the Alliance for Security, Justice, and Development. The Summit, organized with Argentina’s Ministry of National Security, brought together regional security and justice authorities, international partners, civil society, and experts to foster dialogue and cooperation.
IDB Group President Ilan Goldfajn unveiled both the new funding and the launch of the Rapid Response Task Force against Violence and Organized Crime. This flexible technical assistance mechanism is designed to provide immediate support to countries facing security crises, complementing long-term reforms with timely and coordinated responses. The Task Force will deploy advisory teams and action plans to assist governments in tackling challenges such as spikes in violence, human trafficking, or institutional weaknesses, enabling better coordination among police, prosecutors, and prison systems.
To ensure faster assistance, the IDB is also streamlining its processes for technical cooperation. Under the new procedures, projects designed to address security emergencies can be prepared and approved in just 15 days. This acceleration reflects the institution’s aim to combine speed with scale, ensuring countries in crisis can receive immediate support while also benefiting from structural reforms.
During the Summit, Argentina assumed the rotating presidency of the Alliance from Ecuador, which had overseen its founding year. In its first year, the Alliance made progress across three main pillars: protecting vulnerable populations, strengthening institutions, and disrupting illicit financial flows. Concrete actions included launching anti-trafficking guidelines, supporting a digital criminal records exchange app, and developing operational tools to address environmental and financial crimes. The IDB also approved $550 million in loans for Ecuador to strengthen crime prevention and regulate illegal mining.
In Argentina, the IDB is working with national authorities to strengthen federal security institutions and modernize the criminal justice system, including support for implementing the new Federal Criminal Procedure Code. These efforts are part of the broader work of the Bank’s Citizen Security Division—the first of its kind among multilateral development banks—which combines technical assistance, financing, innovation, and regional cooperation.
With the launch of the Rapid Response Task Force and the expanded financial commitment, the Alliance for Security, Justice, and Development enters a new phase. It is now better equipped to respond to immediate crises while mobilizing large-scale resources for long-term reforms. The IDB reaffirmed its commitment to supporting countries in the region to build safer, more just communities and create the foundations for sustainable development.
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