Andean Community (CAN)
Multilateral in force
INTRODUCTION
The Andean Community (CAN) was formed in 1969 with the signing of the Cartagena Treaty by Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It aimed to promote development, improve living standards, and accelerate growth through economic integration. Initially, the free movement of people was not a priority objective. However, in 1977, the Andean Labour Migration Instrument (Decision 116) established a procedure to hire regional workers through national labour migration offices. In 1999, the Cartagena Act was adopted, and it recognised the need to reinforce regional integration, with the free movement of people being a crucial aspect. In 2003, CAN adopted a new Andean Labour Migration Instrument (Decision 545) and several other measures. Decision 545, however, did not lay down a comprehensive free movement regime, as it only included intra-corporate transferees, frontier and seasonal workers, and those accepting a job offer in another Member State. These groups enjoy equal treatment and various rights, including family reunification. Andean nationals also derived other rights from Decisions 503, 546, and 583 adopted between 2002 and 2004. In 2021, CAN established a comprehensive free movement regime by adopting Decision 878 on an Andean Migratory Statute.
MEMBER STATES
- BOLIVIA
- COLOMBIA
- ECUADOR
- PERU
OTHER MEMBERS
- VENEZUELA (1973-2006)
- CHILE (1969-1976)
HEADQUARTERS
Lima, Peru
DATE OF CREATION
26 May 1969.
TIMELINE
| 1969 | Creation of the Andean Community with the adoption of the Treaty of Cartagena on 26 May |
|---|---|
| 1973 | Venezuela joins the Andean Community on 13 February |
| 1976 | Chile leaves the Andean Community on 30 October 1976 |
| 1977 | Adoption of Decision 116 on an Andean Labour Migration Instrument on 17 February |
| 1999 | Adoption of the Cartagena Act on 27 May |
| 2003 | Adoption of Decision 545 on an Andean Labour Migration Instrument on 25 June |
| 2006 | Venezuela leaves the Andean Community on 22 April |
| 2021 | Adoption of Decision 878 on an Andean Migratory Statute on 12 May |
KEY LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Subregional Andean Integration Agreement (Cartagena Agreement), Cartagena, 26 May 1969. It entered into force on 16 October 1969 [Acuerdo de integración subregional andino (Acuerdo de Cartagena)].
Decision 503 on Recognition of National Identification Documents, Valencia, Venezuela, 22 June 2001. It entered into force on 1 January 2002 [Decisión 503, Reconocimiento de Documentos Nacionales de Identificación].
Decision 545 Andean Instrument on Labour Migration, Recinto Quirama, Antioquia, Colombia, 25 June 2003 [Decisión 545, Instrumento Andino de Migración Laboral].
Decision 546 Andean Social Security Instrument, Lima, 27 June 2003 [Instrumento Andino de Seguridad Social].
Decision 583 Substituting Decision 546, Andean Social Security Instrument, Guayaquil, 7 May 2004 [Sustitución de la Decisión 546, Instrumento Andino de Seguridad Social].
Decision 878 Andean Migratory Statute, Lima, 12 May 2021. It entered into force on 11 August 2021 [Decisión 878 Estatuto Migratorio Andino].
ADDITIONAL LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Decision 116 on an Andean Instrument of Labour Migration, 17 February 1977 [Decisión 116, Instrumento Andino de Migración Laboral].
Resolution 1547 amending Decision 503, Lima, 22 February 2013 [Actualización de los documentos de viaje reconocidos por la Decisión 503].
Resolution 1559, amending Decision 503 and derogating Resolution 1547, Lima, 26 March 2013 [Actualización de los documentos de viaje reconocidos por la Decisión 503].