The Central American Integration System (SICA) was established on 13 December 1991 (operational from 1 February 1993) to strengthen democracy and set up a new regional security model to promote freedom. The SICA’s other aims are to achieve a regional system of welfare and economic and social justice, attain economic unity, strengthen the area as an economic bloc, and act as a bloc in international matters.
The SICA’s members are Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, the associated member is the Dominican Republic, the observers are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany, Holy See, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Peru, Spain, United States.