EU and Latin America Strengthen Cooperation Against Organized Crime

The European Union and the Latin American Council for Internal Security (CLASI) convened to discuss strategies for combating organized crime. Carolina Leitao, Chile's Undersecretary for Crime Prevention, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing transnational criminal networks that operate both physically and in cyberspace. Chile is set to assume the rotating presidency of CLASI in April, building on Ecuador's groundwork in establishing operational plans. A key achievement of this collaboration is the creation of AMERIPOL, a cooperation mechanism modeled after EUROPOL, involving 34 police forces from Latin America and the Caribbean. Priorities include enhancing port security and alliances, with significant reductions in drug-contaminated containers arriving at European ports from Ecuador attributed to improved control systems. Focus is also being placed on tracing illicit financial flows to disrupt criminal networks.