Central America and Dominican Republic Firearms Roadmap

In February 2025, Central American States and the Dominican Republic adopted the Roadmap to Prevent the Illicit Trafficking and Proliferation of Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives, reaffirming their commitment to a safer future for all.

The Roadmap establishes a comprehensive and coordinated framework to prevent and combat the illicit trafficking, manufacture, and proliferation of firearms, ammunition and explosives, with the vision of creating a sub-region recognised for its intergovernmental collaboration and inter-institutional cooperation, in which security fosters development and strengthens peace.

A Strategic Agenda based on Priorities

The Roadmap is based on four main pillars:

1. Reinforce regulatory frameworks and inter-agency coordination.
2. Prevention of violence with firearms and firearms misuse.
3. Life-cycle management of weapons, ammunition, and explosives.
4. Investigation and criminal prosecution of trafficking, manufacture, possession and illicit use of firearms, ammunition, and explosives

A 10-Year Action Plan

The implementation period is 10 years (2025-2035), during which national and subregional policies, plans and strategies will be promoted based on effective interinstitutional cooperation and coordination to achieve the objectives and priority actions of each pillar. Its comprehensive and multidimensional approach will also strengthen synergies with broader security and development policies.

The Roadmap includes a monitoring and evaluation mechanism to measure progress of its implementation.

International Support and Cooperation

The development of the Roadmap and its implementation are supported by the Department of Public Security (DPS) of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), with technical support from the Central American Integration System (SICA).

The development of the Roadmap between 2023 and 2024 was funded by the European Union.

The implementation of the initiative is expected to bring together States, custodians, implementing partners, donors and other stakeholders in a joint effort to ensure its success and sustainability.

Participating States

Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Dominican Republic.