Strengthening Regional Capacities to Counter IED Threats

• WCO Programme Global Shield brought together 22 participants from 17 Latin American countries in Guayaquil, Ecuador
• Five-day regional workshop strengthened frontline Customs capacity to detect explosive precursors, initiators and other IED-related commodities
• The workshop opened with remarks by Sandro Castillo, Director General of Ecuador Customs, who welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of strengthening regional cooperation to counter IED-related threats
• Port visit to DP World Posorja provided participants with practical insight into supply chain security and operational controls

The World Customs Organization's (WCO) Programme Global Shield (PGS), in close collaboration with INTERPOL, held a five-day regional workshop in Guayaquil, Ecuador, from 13 to 17 April 2026. This final PGS workshop brought together senior managers and other enforcement staff from Customs administrations across Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen their response to the evolving threat posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Hosted by Ecuador Customs, the workshop gathered 22 participants from 17 countries in the region, namely Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Uruguay and two Regional Liaison Offices (RILOs) from South and Central America. A pre-accredited PGS trainer from Nigeria Customs Service joined the workshop virtually and provided several presentations covering various technical topics. The event was funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Office of the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (NDF).

Strengthening Capacity to Address Evolving IED Threats

At the workshop, WCO and INTERPOL provided an overview of the global and regional threat posed by IEDs, with a particular focus on the growing role of illicit trafficking and diversion of explosive precursors, initiators and other components used in their manufacturing. In this context, special attention was given to the critical role of Customs administrations in securing the supply chain and preventing the misuse of legitimate trade channels.

Through a combination of different thematics, participants enhanced their understanding of supply chain security, risk assessment techniques, and the identification of explosive chemical precursors and other IED-related materials. The workshop also strengthened their technical knowledge of IEDs, including their identification, classification, components, explosive precursors and initiators, while further developing their capacity to apply risk analysis, profiling and targeting techniques to detect suspicious consignments and prevent illicit diversion of dual-use explosive precursors from legitimate supply chains.

In addition, the workshop addressed safe handling, identification, labelling, packaging and regulatory aspects of chemical substances commonly used as explosive precursors. Participants also discussed the importance of information exchange, intelligence cooperation and inter-agency coordination between Customs and Police in responding effectively to complex evolving threats in the region.

Showcasing the WCO Programme Global Shield

The event also served as an opportunity to present the achievements of the WCO Programme Global Shield since its inception in 2010, as well as equip the participating Customs administrations with the operational tools and initiatives available to support them in addressing IED threats after the closure of the Programme.

In particular, the participants were briefed on the results of Operation Global Gateway, which focused on countering illicit trafficking and diversion of the explosive precursors and IED components. The participants were also familiarized with the newly launched WCO PGS App, developed to support Customs and other law enforcement officers in the identification of explosive precursors in the field environment. The participants were also introduced to the other tools and instruments of the WCO and INTERPOL, namely WCO CEN suite of applications and INTERPOL Notices.

Promoting Cooperation and Exchange of Good Practices

The workshop provided a valuable platform for participants to build a network of contact points across the region working on dual-use explosive precursors and other materials that could be used to build IEDs. The discussions contributed to a stronger common understanding of operational challenges and helped identify practical ways to enhance coordinated responses across the region. The participants were provided with multiple case studies from their own region and beyond, as well as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and protocols.

A field visit to DP World Posorja was also organized as part of the agenda, offering participants a full tour of the port facilities. The visit provided attendees first-hand exposure to port operations, cargo flows and control measures, further reinforcing the importance of public-private cooperation in strengthening supply chain security and port safety and security.

By strengthening the operational and analytical capacities of frontline Customs officers and promoting closer regional cooperation, the workshop marked an important step in supporting Members in Latin America to counter the misuse of cross-border trade for IED-related activities and to contribute to peace and security. The joint delivery of the workshop by the WCO and INTERPOL also highlighted the importance of operational cooperation between the two organizations with the aim of reinforcing chemical security, preventing illicit trafficking and diversion of explosive precursors and other components for the manufacturing of IEDs, and promotion of the coordinated inter-agency responses to emerging and evolving threats.