Fifteen nations unite to block assets of criminal groups
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Fifteen countries in the Americas are freezing assets, restricting travel, and pursuing criminal penalties against 24 groups involved in transnational crime.
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States signed a joint declaration to respond to shared security threats. These governments agreed to target financial and logistical support for the identified criminal organizations.
The nations plan to formally request the Organization of American States (OAS) establish a consultation body under articles 6 and 13 of the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (TIAR). This body will consider a resolution to formalize the collective actions, and countries not part of the treaty indicated they will comply with the measures using their own national laws.
Beyond asset freezes and visa cancellations, the countries will review investment practices and work to secure supply chains for critical minerals by verifying suppliers. They also intend to increase intelligence sharing and technological cooperation to disrupt criminal networks. The initiative focuses on groups including Los Lobos, Los Choneros, Chone Killers, and Los Tiguerones, all identified as operating within the Western Hemisphere.
