The 12th Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships was held in San Salvador, El Salvador, between 14–16 July 1996.

[3] Complete results can be found on the World Junior Athletics History website.

[4] *   Host nation (El Salvador) Anguilla and Aruba competed for the first time at the championships.

Detailed result lists can be found on the World Junior Athletics History website.

[4] An unofficial count yields a new record number of about 524 athletes (293 junior (under-20) and 231 youth (under-17)) from about 20 countries: