Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)

DOI-ITAP's work in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region supports energy independence in Argentina, environmental offsets in Colombia, protection of archeological sites in Guatemala, climate change adaptation in Panama, and counter wildlife trafficking throughout Central America, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Chile. These efforts, made possible through partnerships with U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), State Department, and others, have benefited from a long-term and strategic engagement in the region.   

In this region, DOI-ITAP technical assistance, at both regional and national levels, helps to strengthen:

• Protected area management
• Climate adaptation
• Countering wildlife trafficking
• CITES
• Mining and oil & gas best practices
• Role of Indigenous groups in land management
• Public participation
• Low impact roadways design
• Wildfire prevention & control
• Local community tourism
• Law enforcement
• Protected area conflict resolution
• Renewable energy
• Geospatial capabilities

LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN RECENT PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:

Sustainable Development of Lithium Resources (Argentina)

DOI-ITAP is advancing the sustainable mining of lithium in Argentina. 

Lithium plays a critical role in the transition away from fossil fuels to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and reach ambitious carbon pollution-free targets around the globe. Argentina, along with neighboring Chile and Bolivia, make up the “Lithium Triangle” – a region that contains about 67% of proven lithium reserves worldwide. Argentina is on track to become the second largest producer of lithium by 2030.  

DOI-ITAP --  along with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program and the U.S. Geological Survey --  is working with Argentina’s federal and provincial mining authorities to build capacity for sustainable lithium development, providing technical assistance in such areas as water management and hydrogeological modeling.  

Managing water associated with mining is especially important for nearby communities and groundwater-dependent ecosystems.  

DOI-ITAP is proud to be supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources on this effort. 

Protected Area Management and Environmental Governance in the Selva Maya (Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico)

The Selva Maya, or Maya Jungle region, spans Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico, and is home to diverse wildlife and hundreds of ancient Maya cities. 

DOI-ITAP works with in-country partners and DOI specialists to strengthen protected area management, environmental governance, and local community empowerment in the region, bolstering cross-border collaboration. 

DOI-ITAP engages local communities in conservation efforts through initiatives such as voluntarily setting community lands aside for conservation, promoting community-based tourism, and empowering Indigenous women and youth as conservation leaders. 

With support from USAID Guatemala, DOI-ITAP and its partners have contributed to recovery of forest cover, successful prosecution of environmental crimes, wildfire prevention, protection of archaeological sites, and combating wildlife trafficking. 

PREVIOUS PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:

Strengthening Wildlife Trafficking Enforcement in Central and South America (Brazil, Belize, Dominican Republic)

The Wildlife Officer/Inspector Exchange (WOE/WIE) Program facilitated job shadowing exchanges between U.S. and overseas law enforcement personnel from Brazil, Belize, and Dominican Republic. DOI-ITAP worked closely with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement on these exchanges, matching candidates from qualifying conservation law enforcement leadership programs. 

With support from the Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), this project aimed to strengthen enforcement, reduce demand for illegally traded wildlife, and expand international cooperation through capacity building sessions, collaboration, and by creating lasting professional relationships between international counterparts. 

Supporting Biodiversity Conservation in Chile

DOI-ITAP strengthened biodiversity conservation through sound management of protected areas, improving implementation and enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and combating wildlife trafficking throughout the investigative and judicial chain of government. These activities were complemented through visitor interpretation and youth engagement and education events, and supported by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.

Wildlife Trafficking Enforcement Through the Central American Wildlife Enforcement Network (CAWEN)

DOI-ITAP builds capacity to implement and enforce the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), counter wildlife trafficking at national and regional levels, and analyze data and information for sound government decision-making. Activities are tied to training, operational, and outreach efforts of the Central American and Dominican Republic Wildlife Enforcement Network (CAWEN, or ROAVIS in Spanish), which DOI-ITAP helped found and technically assist.

DOI-ITAP accomplished this work with the support of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.

Reducing Wildlife Trafficking in Colombia

DOI-ITAP worked with Colombian officials to reduce wildlife trafficking by building capacity to investigate and prosecute wildlife trafficking cases and improve the implementation and enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as a tool to regulate legal commerce, ensure sustainable levels of wildlife trade, and detect and deter illegal wildlife trade.

DOI-ITAP worked on this with the support of U.S. Department of State, International Narcotics & Enforcement (INL) Bogota.

Environment Peace Initiative for Colombia Support

DOI-ITAP provided the Colombian Government tools to help prevent and resolve environmental conflicts anticipated by the land use changes associated with the peace process. Mitigation of impacts to Colombia’s protected areas in the Amazon include the development of protocols for integrated government-community decision-making, as well as identifying and promoting environmental offsets for expansion of the protected area system due to impacts of road development and other infrastructure.   

DOI-ITAP worked on this with the support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Colombia through the “Environment Peace Initiative for Colombia” (EPIC).

FACTSHEETS & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

DOI-ITAP Guatemala Factsheet - Espaňol

The Laguna del Tigre “Shield”: Protecting the Maya Biosphere Reserve’s Economic Potential Factsheet

Guatemala Environmental Justice Forum Factsheet - Espaňol

Preserving and Managing Our Cultural Heritage Factsheet

Environmental Cooperation with DOS-OES/ DOI-ITAP Factsheet

Guatemala Raises the Stakes against Environmental Crimes News Bulletin

Ancient Maya Altar Discovered in Guatemala Reveals Conquest Strategies, Reminiscent of ‘Game of Thrones’ News Bulletin

Guatemala’s Supreme Court to Strengthen Prosecution of Environmental Crimes News Bulletin