About Isthmic Solidarity Project

Isthmic Solidarity Project is a popular educational and solidarity building project geared towards the Central American diaspora in the imperial core. Guided by principles of queer, feminist, Indigenous and Black liberation, Buen Vivir, anti capitalism, anti imperialism, and opposition to all systems of oppression, Isthmic Solidarity Project is a rich starting point for Central Americans and other folks interested in learning about and building solidarity with the region and its communities.

There are approximately 3.5 million Central Americans in the U.S., representing 8 percent of the immigrants in the country as of 2017. More than 4.4 million international migrants from Central America worldwide have settled in another country, according to 2017 estimates by the United Nations Population Division. Diaspora Central Americans make up around 18% of the global Central American population—almost a fifth.

Isthmic Solidarity Project was originally founded as The CentAm Collective in 2019 in response to mis/disinformation about the region, particularly in regards to the so-called “crises” of migration, poverty, and violence that the imperial core has manufactured in the region. These powers claim to be actively working towards ending these “crises” while perpetuating scarcity with neoliberal policies in the age of globalization.

Mission

Isthmic Solidarity Project works towards global liberation and the demise of all oppressive systems. ISP produces and distributes popular education guided by communal histories and teachings and emphasizes the importance of building transnational solidarity with organizations in Central America, within the diaspora, and imperialized communities around the world.

Vision

A world liberated from processes of colonialism, imperialism, neoliberalism, and global capitalism, racism, and other oppressive processes, where all forms of life are protected and prioritized. Humans and other forms of life have the freedom to experience abundant lives in our homelands.

Timeline

• July 24, 2019: The CentAm Collective is launched via Instagram as an empowering community-building space for the digital Central American diaspora worldwide.

• November 1, 2019: The CentAm Collective’s website is launched, along with its Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn pages and newsletter.

• July 24, 2021: The CentAm Collective is renamed and rebranded as Central American Disruption with clear political and educational goals targeted towards the Central American diaspora raised and based in the Global North.

• August 2024: Central American Disruption becomes the Isthmic Solidarity Project with a refined vision and approach.

About the Central American diaspora

There are approximately 3.5 million Central Americans in the U.S., representing 8 percept of the immigrants in the country as of 2017. More than 4.4 million international migrants from Central America worldwide have settled in another country, according to 2017 estimates by the United Nations Population Division. Almost 80 percent resided in the United States, which was the top destination for every origin country from the region except Nicaragua, whose primary destination was Costa Rica. Approximately 15 percent (649,000) had settled in another country in Latin America and the Caribbean, with Mexico being a common destination. Another 2 percent of Central American migrants resided in Southern Europe (109,000) and 2 percent were in Canada (100,000).

Top Destinations for Diaspora by Nationality

Belize:

• United States: 53,000

• Mexico: 3,000

• Canada: 2,000

• Guatemala: 1,000

• Bolivia: 1,000

EL SALVADOR

• United States: 1,393,000

• Canada: 51,000

• Guatemala: 20,000

• Costa Rica: 14,000

• Italy: 13,000

• Australia: 12,000

Honduras:

United States: 598,000

Spain: 42,000

Mexico: 15,000

Nicaragua: 13,000

El Salvador: 12,000

PANAMA:

• United States: 114,000

• Costa Rica: 11,000

• Spain: 4,000

• Canada: 3,000

Sources: Migration Policy Institute