Regional overview

In 2024, Latin America and the Caribbean remained the most democratic developing region, although political polarization, inequalities and the escalation of violence fueled by organized crime, drug trafficking and climate change threatened judicial independency and affected people’s trust in the institutions. Less than one third of the population in the region trusts the judiciary which is below the trust levels in the armed forces and the police.

According to the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, the rule of law deteriorated in 20 countries in the region, while those with peaceful power transitions in 2023 and 2024 showed improvements. The homicide rate in the region remained one of the highest in the world, disproportionately affecting youth and Afro-descendant men. Increasingly, justice systems failed to respond effectively to the needs of historically excluded populations, such as Indigenous Peoples, women, youth and Afro-descendant communities. Civic space shrank in several countries, affecting the work of human rights defenders, particularly those dealing with environmental and land issues.

With the Organization of American States and the UN Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in LAC, UNDP supported the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Action Plan and a Roadmap to Prevent the Illicit Trafficking and Proliferation of Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives in Central America and the Caribbean. In addition, UNDP joined the regional security alliance launched by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), bringing together 18 governments across Latin America and the Caribbean. At country level, UNDP advanced the rule of law, justice, security and human rights, leveraging support from its Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development (the Global Programme).

Improving security to address organized crime

In collaboration with the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), IDEA International and Fundación Carolina, UNDP developed a renewed citizen security agenda, addressing the need to build citizen security policies that are data-driven, preventive and human rights-based. A joint report "Security as a Pillar of the Renewed Agenda for Development and Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean” was presented as a contribution to the Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Governments.

In the Caribbean, the CARISECURE 2.0 programme equipped six countries with data-driven tools to develop evidence-based crime prevention policies.

To reduce armed violence and improve control over small arms and light weapons, UNDP and the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) implemented their SALIENT initiative in Honduras, Jamaica and Panamá. Over 100,000 people benefitted from programmes fostering social cohesion, violence reduction and addressing socioeconomic vulnerabilities linked to organized crime. This work is particularly relevant in the region where around 80 percent of homicides are caused by firearms.

The PACE project in partnership with the European Union, focused on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice sector in violence prevention and confidence building in eight Caribbean countries.

Human rights promotion

UNDP contributed to human rights promotion by supporting national non-discrimination strategies, fostering inclusive societies and addressing systemic inequalities. Through the TriPartite Partnership to Support National Human Rights Institutions (TTP), national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru strengthened their capacities, ensuring alignment with international standards and mechanisms. In partnership with the Network of National Human Rights Institutions of the American Continent (RINDHCA), the TPP enhanced information management and early warning systems used by NHRIs.

Business and human rights

To promote the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and to engage the private sector as a strategic partner, UNDP pioneered a virtual business and human rights course completed by over 2,000 entrepreneurs. Additionally, in the Dominican Republic, UNDP aims to eliminate gender inequalities in the workplace, while in Brazil, with support from Japan, small companies could implement sustainable and ethical practices.

Environmental justice

In collaboration with the International Open Justice Network (RIJA, by its acronym in Spanish) UNDP advanced the open environmental justice agenda by developing a programming guide to address environmental crimes, featuring key examples from Brazil and the Dominican Republic (to be published in 2025). In addition, UNDP continued to support countries implementing the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean (Escazú Agreement) by strengthening legal frameworks, improving access to environmental information and encouraging public participation in environmental matters.

Digital justice

UNDP is driving the digital transformation of justice systems in Latin America and the Caribbean, leveraging technology to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of judicial services through a people-centred approach. The Open Justice agenda, coordinated regionally with RIJA is gaining momentum. Key advancement at country level includes the expansion of the justice portfolio in Ecuador in partnership with the National Court of Justice and the Judiciary Council, incorporating a strong Open Justice component. In the Dominican Republic, UNDP promotes access to public information, open data, integrity, citizen participation and transparency, all with a gender perspective, to expand access to justice and ensure high-quality public services.