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Central America Integration System

The Mayan civilisation, which existed in Mesoamerica for over 3,000 years, was advanced in many ways, from architecture to astronomy – but politically it was a mess for most of the time. Riven by internecine wars and complicated religious structures, and bedevilled by poor leadership, it was finally wiped out by Spanish guns and disease in the 16^th century. The descendants of colonialism who now occupy the narrow strip of land between the north and south of the Americas, bordered on each side by the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, would recognise a familiar pattern. Since the end of the Spanish Empire, Central American countries have engaged in endless squabbles with each other, despite early realisation that economic and political integration was in everyone’s best interests. Guatemala, for instance, is still tetchy about Belize, the only English-speaking nation in the Spanish-speaking group, over historical conflicts.  The Central America Integration System, known by the acronym SICA, from its Spanish name, Sistema de la Integracion Centroamericana, is not quite yet a single entity, like the EU; rather it is an economic framework of eight nations: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Belize and the Dominican Republic. Its total population is almost 60 million. Founded in 1993, the organisation’s aims are to promote peace, political freedom, democracy and economic development among its members. Free movement of peoples between the countries has been established, and a Central American Court of Justice set up. But the region faces many problems as it strives for greater integration and, eventually, prosperity, including crime and corruption, poverty and unemployment, lack of gender equality and many environmental challenges. The World Bank reports that there are signs of improvements in social and economic areas, but there is still a long way to go. The region has been chronically unstable for generations, with civil wars in several of the states. Social upheaval continues, illustrated by the current movement north of thousands of people seeking a better life in the USA.

What trade deals are there with other countries and economic unions?

EU - Central America Association Agreement (from 01/08/2013)

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Member Countries

Country	Population (2018)	GDP Growth (2021, %)	Date Joined
Belize	382,444	9.7532	01/01/1998
Costa Rica	4,953,199	7.5796	13/12/1991
Dominican Republic	10,882,996	12.2720	01/01/1998
El Salvador	6,411,558	10.8009	13/12/1991
Guatemala	17,245,346	7.5276	13/12/1991
Honduras	9,417,167	12.5341	13/12/1991
Nicaragua	6,284,757	10.3449	13/12/1991
Panama	4,162,618	15.3358	13/12/1991

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