From 4 to 6 June 2024, COLIBRI held its first regional seminar for focal points in the Latin America and Caribbean region, held in Asuncion, Paraguay. This gathering brought together 35 focal points representing 31 different administrations from eight partner countries: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. The seminar provided an essential platform for strengthening the regional COLIBRI network, fostering the exchange of best practices, and enhancing cooperation against transnational organised crime in the general aviation sector.
The event was officially inaugurated by the Representative of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Paraguay and the National Director of the National Tax Revenue Directorate (DNIT), both of whom underscored COLIBRI’s crucial role in combating illicit activities in general aviation. Throughout the seminar, participating administrations presented their National Action Plans (NAPs), which serve as vital tools for assessing the progress made in implementing COLIBRI’s strategy. The seminar also featured presentations from key external partners, such as the SEACOP Project, another GIFP initiative that bolsters the fight against intermodal trafficking, showcasing the synergy between different EU-funded projects.
A highlight of the seminar was the focus on the Geoportal, a key tool developed under COLIBRI for gathering information, conducting risk analysis, and following up on investigations. The Colombian Air Force’s presentation demonstrated how the Geoportal can be used for planning preventive controls, utilising satellite imagery to detect and monitor clandestine runways and other illicit activities over time. The seminar also included a session on open-source intelligence (OSINT), emphasising the importance of integrating OSINT with Geoportal data for more effective risk analysis and better-targeted control operations.
The importance of judicial cooperation was also a key theme, with the Deputy Prosecutor from Argentina’s Office of the Attorney General for Drug-Related Crimes (PROCUNAR) detailing the mechanisms available to promote international cooperation in combating drug trafficking and related crimes. The presentation highlighted the challenges posed by the transnational nature of criminal groups and the necessity of coordinated efforts across borders. The seminar concluded with a reinforced commitment from all participants to continue leveraging COLIBRI’s tools and strategies to strengthen regional and international cooperation in the fight against illicit flows in the general aviation sector.
