Latin American commitment in support of the IAEA role on non-proliferation control

Abstract

The Latin American and Caribbean countries' contribution to the implementation of worldwide nuclear non-proliferation is well demonstrated by the establishment of a nuclear weapons free-zone and by their permanent support of IAEA safeguards. The 'Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean', encompassing all region territories from Mexico to Argentina and adjacent maritime space, entered into force in April 1969. Latin American support to the IAEA non-proliferation role was already given in the early stages of setting up the IAEA Safeguards procedures. An example for building up trust among nuclear states of the region was the 1981 Agreement between Argentina and Brazil, creating ABACC for jointly accounting and controlling their nuclear materials. Nowadays, all Latin American and Caribbean countries are parties to the NPT, having established safeguard agreements with the IAEA. Additional 'Protocols to IAEA Safeguards Agreements' have been signed or ratified by almost all Latin American and Caribbean countries.