The US signed a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) with El Salvador on 8 October 2024.

The CMAA aims to strengthen border security and trade facilitation between the two countries.  CMAAs are bilateral agreements between the United States and its international partners enforced by their respective customs administrations. They provide the legal framework for exchanging information and evidence to assist countries in enforcing customs laws, including duty evasion, trafficking, proliferation, money laundering, and terrorism-related activities.

“We value our partnership with El Salvador in pursuing our mutual goal of stronger borders and more efficient trade facilitation. This expands on our already close partnership on border security and trade efforts,” Troy Miller, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner, said during the signing ceremony. 

“These actions contribute to the simplification, automation and transparency of the import, export and transit processes of goods, which brings important benefits to trade operators, facilitating the clearance flows of their operations and promoting compliance with foreign trade regulations,” said Jerson Posada, Minister of Finance of El Salvador.

Once entered into force, the CMAA will allow the United States and El Salvador to exchange information and provide mutual assistance on customs offences.

This CMAA reflects the United States’ commitment to its relationship and collaboration with El Salvador on a wide range of issues, including securing the countries’ borders against terrorists, combating drug traffickers, and disrupting the operations of transnational criminal organisations.