The CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, originally known as the Andean Development Corporation (Corporación Andina de Fomento), was established on February 7, 1968, and commenced operations in June 1970. Headquartered in Caracas, Venezuela, the multilateral financial institution was created to advance sustainable development and foster regional integration across Latin America and the Caribbean. It is owned by a broad base of shareholder countries alongside private regional banks, positioning it as a key pillar for economic and social growth in the region.

CAF fulfills its mission by providing a diverse array of financial instruments, including short-, medium-, and long-term loans, credit operations, equity participation, guarantees, and non-reimbursable technical resources. It finances both public and private sector projects spanning vital infrastructure, energy, water and sanitation, transportation, green economies, and social development. By mobilizing resources from international capital markets, the bank helps structure and execute high-impact initiatives designed to improve living standards.