Purpose: This study aims to compare the techno-scientific systems of four Latin American countries: Panama and Costa Rica for Central America and Uruguay and Paraguay for South America. The overall objective is to explore their performance in terms of generation of knowledge in science and technology using the triple helix model as a framework. Design/methodology/approach: The methodological approach applied was scientometric and bibliometric. The management of the techno-scientific governance in each country was analysed; input, process and output indicators were applied and a table of correlated factors was generated to determine the capabilities of each. The triple helix was used as a framework, as the study assessed the capabilities of the three actors in this model (academia, industry and government). Findings: By studying this type of small Latin American techno-scientific worlds and the interrelationships between the three actors examined, it can be seen that there is a limited supply of certified knowledge and weak interactions between these helixes and this restricts the development of innovation initiatives. Originality/value: There is little evidence of evaluations of the techno-scientific systems of peripheral countries and even less of the smaller ones. By cross-referencing governance information with indicators and generating a multi-factorial matrix, new knowledge is being generated that will contribute both to the general knowledge and to the improvement of public policy decisions in these countries.