Ingresar
EU Supports Central American Border Integration to Boost Regional Trade
By Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados
The European Union (EU) is stepping up its support for regional integration in Central America through initiatives aimed at digitalizing and modernizing border management to facilitate trade. A recent cross-border tour organized by the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA), with EU backing, showcased the tangible progress made toward streamlining cross-border procedures and enhancing regional cooperation.
Between January 25 and February 1, 2025, a delegation led by SIECA’s Executive Secretary, Francisco A. Lima, traveled across all Central American borders—covering 1,900 kilometers and visiting Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Accompanying Mr. Lima at various points were EU ambassadors, government ministers, and representatives from the EU Member States in the region, collectively known as Team Europe, to underscore their support for regional trade facilitation efforts.
Digitalization Driving Efficiency
The tour highlighted the Central American Digital Trade Platform, a major EU-supported initiative that integrates customs procedures, migration control, and sanitary/phytosanitary certifications into a paperless, single digital interface.
This platform is a key step forward in Central America's economic integration.
Strengthening Regional Trade
Participants in the tour witnessed first-hand how the digital platform streamlines customs procedures and reduces paperwork. This is especially important in a region that processes approximately 676,000 land transit operations and 439,000 export transactions annually, with an estimated trade value of USD 8 billion.
In addition to supporting regional infrastructure, the EU is exploring opportunities to connect the Central American platform with European trade hubs, such as the Port of Algeciras in Spain—a major entry point for Central American exports to the EU market.
Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados
GUY JOSE BENDAÑA GUERRERO & ASOCIADOS has a long and prosperous tradition in the field of intellectual property (IP) in Nicaragua, with roots that go back to more than 100 years, resulting on long-term relationships with renowned clients and attorneys worldwide.
The firm has its origins in the law firm Henry Caldera & Henry Caldera-Pallais, founded in 1907 by Mr. Henry Caldera. That same year of 1907, through the efforts of Mr. Caldera, Nicaragua had its first Trademark Law. In the late 1930’s, Mr. Caldera’s oldest son, Dr. Henry Caldera-Pallais, after studying law in Nicaragua, attended the University of Michigan, where he graduated as a Registered U.S. Patent Attorney. Dr. Caldera-Pallais in 1964 was a founding member of the Interamerican Association of Intellectual Property (ASIPI), the first regional intellectual property organization in the Americas. The firm continued to grow during the administration of Dr. Franklin Caldera, son of Dr. Caldera-Pallais, who obtained his doctoral degree in law from the Universidad Centroamericana in 1973.
Since 1985 the current partners, Dr. Guy José Bendaña Guerrero and Mrs. Blanca Aragón de Bendaña, took over the management of the firm. Dr. Bendaña Guerrero, Director of the firm, has distinguished himself as one of the most respected authorities in Central America in the field of intellectual property and law in general, being the author of several books such as “Course of Industrial Property Law”, “Study of the new Laws of Industrial Property” and “New Study of Contracts “, among others. Mrs. Aragón de Bendaña has served as the firm’s general manager and, thanks to her excellent management, the firm has been in constant growth, with a highly qualified staff committed to excellence. Since 1996, partner Julián José Bendaña Aragón joined the firm, and has been standing out as one of the most recognized attorneys in the field of intellectual property.
We have adapted to the constant change of the business world, supporting our clients in finding the most appropriate legal solutions for each moment. The firm distinguishes itself by understanding the needs of its clients, offering personalized service and adding value to its activities.
Nowadays we continue to be the leading firm in Nicaragua in the area of intellectual property, and at the same time, we have been consolidating other areas of service within the civil, commercial and labor fields, as well as litigation and consulting in general. The firm is well positioned to guarantee a pragmatic service that meets the requirements of the most demanding clients.