Above: SICA Headquarters in El Salvador

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Dominican Republic has assumed the chairmanship of the Central American Integration System (SICA).

Dominican President Danilo Medina assumed the role of President Pro Tempore of the regional body for the January-to-June term.

Medina was in Panama for the SICA Heads of Government Summit this weekend.

The country will be responsible for implementing and monitoring projects, agreements and targets set by the agency and “contribute more actively to the process of strengthening regional integration,” according to a statement from the President’s office.

The Dominican Republic joined SICA as a full member in July, after serving as an observer state for nine years.

SICA was formed in 1993. Its members include Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.