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The Institute for Peace and Development (IPADES) participated in the 11th Annual Hemispheric Security Conference, held from May 12 to 14, 2026, at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, Florida. The conference is one of the leading forums for dialogue on security issues in the Americas.

Representing IPADES was its Executive Director, Alex Aguirre, who was accredited to attend the various panel discussions, side events, workshops, and e-dialogue sessions organized throughout the conference.

During the event, participants addressed key issues related to hemispheric security, including the evolution of transnational threats, organized crime, regional cooperation, and the growing role of extra-regional actors such as China and Russia in Latin America. These actors were identified as factors reshaping the region’s strategic balance, particularly in contexts marked by institutional weakness.

In his contributions to dialogue sessions and workshops, Alex Aguirre emphasized Nicaragua’s situation within the broader hemispheric security landscape. He noted that the country represents a growing concern due to both the erosion of international security cooperation and its geopolitical positioning. He also highlighted that Nicaragua has been identified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a transit country for activities linked to drug trafficking, and that the lack of cooperation with the agency increases risks for the region.

Participants further underscored that the combination of weakened governance, reduced institutional transparency, and strategic ties with extra-regional powers may facilitate the expansion of illicit threats that transcend national borders and affect hemispheric stability.

Citizen participation in forums of this nature is essential for contributing to informed analysis and the development of proposals that promote peace, security, and development throughout the region. These spaces help strengthen cooperation networks, bring visibility to emerging challenges, and elevate Central American perspectives in international policy discussions.

IPADES reaffirms its commitment to promoting strategic dialogue and generating knowledge on the hemisphere’s most pressing security challenges.

Image source: Infonegocios Miami.