Guatemala City, by Kevin Castillo -AGN- Congressman Vicente Gonzalez highlighted the importance of cooperation between Guatemala and the United States in the fight against drug trafficking.
Congressman Gonzales made these statements during the Grow Forum 2023: Generating Renewed Opportunities for Wealth-creation, hosted in Washington, D. C.
Senator Gonzalez is a representative for the 34th District of Texas in the U.S. Congress and a member of the Democratic Party. The objective of the Forum is to strengthen trade and friendship ties between Guatemala and the United States.
Senator Gonzalez stated, “The relationship between Guatemala and the U.S. has always been by diplomatic collaboration, cooperation in counter-narcotics efforts, and mutually beneficial trade relations. It is time to focus investment in Guatemala to create good jobs and deter migration,”
As part of the fight against drug trafficking, the President of Guatemala had a telephone call with the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, in May. He has also welcomed U.S. officials in Guatemala to address different topics.
Chemical Precursors
Among the officials who visited the country was the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Affairs, Uzra Zeya.
Mrs. Zeya learned about the work that the Government of Guatemala, through the Ministry of the Interior, is carrying out in the Chemical Precursors and Substances Complex at Finca Estanzuela y Navajas, San José del Golfo.
During her official visit, the Undersecretary stated that the oven manufactured in the United States destroyed more than 1,000 tons of precursor chemicals in 2022. Also, they have invested over USD 2 million in the fight against drug trafficking since 2013.
The U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Director Kelly Hapka, and International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Counterdrug Advisor Reginald Tillery joined Undersecretary Zeya.
The visit also included the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs manager, Adam Halverson; the Director of the Special Antinarcotics Unit -Unesa- and the General Subdirectorate of Antinarcotics Information Analysis of the National Civil Police.
The authorities emphasized that the objective is to strengthen strategic alliances and the direct fight against drug trafficking between the two countries.
The Fight Against Drug Trafficking in The Country
The Government maintains strategies and operational plans developed by the security forces. According to the statistics, from January 2020 to June 6, 2023, the seizure of different drugs and eradication of illicit crops were achieved.
The arrest of 107 people with extradition to the United States of America and the seizure of goods and USD 1.7 million have impacted the structures linked to drug trafficking.
