The private security sector has grown substantially in recent decades around the world, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean. In many countries in the region, there are now more private security company employees than police officers.

The high security risks and human rights impacts that the services provided by the private security sector can entail require regulation and professional performance based on existing standards and good practices. It is therefore important to have an in-depth analysis of the sector and its impact that can provide sustainable recommendations for public policy regulation, as well as adequate performance of the companies themselves and their clients.

In the Northern Triangle of Central America, made up of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, a series of cultural, political, legal, environmental, development, security and justice factors converge, which identify the three countries and set them apart from the rest of Central America. The highest rates of violence in the region are located here, as well as the greatest impact of firearms. Among others, a unified response to insecurity and violence has been the proliferation of private security companies, which is now one of the largest business sectors generating employment for thousands of people, mostly young men. Given the shared challenges among the Northern Triangle countries, three national studies were carried out.

Download the El Salvador report (in Spanish)

Download the Honduras report (in Spanish

Download the Guatemala report (in Spanish)