WILLEMSTAD – A diplomatic initiative launched during Justice Minister Shalten Hato's visit to El Salvador in November 2024 is expected to result in a formal Letter of Intent between the justice ministries of Curaçao and El Salvador on Friday, November 13, 2026.
The planned signing follows nearly two years of discussions, negotiations, and administrative preparations aimed at establishing closer cooperation in justice and public security.
According to the Curaçao Ministry of Justice, the process began on November 26 and 27, 2024, when Hato attended the International Conference on State and Democracy, known as CIED 2024, in El Salvador.
The conference brought together representatives to discuss issues involving democracy, the rule of law, and public safety.
During the event, Hato met his Salvadoran counterpart, Minister of Justice and Public Security Héctor Gustavo Villatoro Funes.
That initial meeting opened discussions about possible cooperation between the two ministries.
Following the conference, officials from both countries began examining potential areas for collaboration and discussing the administrative arrangements needed to establish a formal partnership.
The negotiations eventually resulted in a proposal that was submitted to the Curaçao Council of Ministers.
In April 2025, the Council of Ministers approved the decision to pursue cooperation with El Salvador, allowing the discussions to continue toward a Letter of Intent.
Curaçao and Salvadoran Officials Coordinated Negotiations
The Ministry of Justice identified Saran Magdalena-Inderson as Curaçao's chief negotiator in the process.
Saran Magdalena-Inderson
Working under the responsibility of Justice Minister Hato, Magdalena-Inderson coordinated discussions with Josué Roberto Liévano Paz, who represented the Salvadoran authorities.
Their work involved aligning the positions of the two ministries and developing a framework for future cooperation.
The resulting Letter of Intent is intended to establish a basis for institutional cooperation without immediately committing either government to specific legally binding obligations.
According to the ministry, the document will allow both sides to explore practical initiatives while respecting their respective laws, institutional responsibilities, and legal systems.
The proposed areas of cooperation include strengthening police organizations, combating organized crime, improving migration management, and preventing cybercrime.
Training programs, technical exchanges, and working visits are also among the possibilities being considered.
Cooperation Must Respect Curaçao's Legal Framework
The Ministry of Justice emphasized that the agreement does not mean Curaçao will automatically adopt El Salvador's law enforcement policies or practices.
Instead, the objective is to examine experiences and methods that could contribute to improving Curaçao's own justice system.
Justice Minister Hato has stressed that international cooperation must always operate within the boundaries of Curaçao's legislation, the rule of law, and the protection of fundamental rights.
This distinction is particularly important because the Letter of Intent is designed as an exploratory framework rather than an agreement requiring the implementation of specific measures.
Any future activities will require additional consultations and must comply with the legal requirements and responsibilities of the institutions involved.
The ministry has not disclosed whether particular Salvadoran law enforcement programs or operational methods are being considered for further study.
It has also not announced a timetable for implementing specific cooperation projects following the signing.
The planned agreement reflects Curaçao's broader efforts to develop international relationships that can contribute to professional development within its justice institutions.
For the Ministry of Justice, the partnership represents an opportunity to broaden access to international expertise while maintaining responsibility for determining which approaches are appropriate for Curaçao.
The signing scheduled for November 13 will conclude the initial diplomatic and administrative phase that began with Hato's participation in the 2024 conference.
Further discussions will determine whether the framework leads to concrete training programs, institutional exchanges, or other joint initiatives aimed at strengthening justice and public safety in Curaçao.