Guatemala City, Brenda Larios -AGN- Minister of Foreign Affairs Mario Búcaro participated in the open debate of the United Nations Security Council, presided over by Ecuador.
During his intervention, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the country’s commitment to the fight against organized crime. Minister Búcaro emphasized, “Guatemala recognizes that the challenges posed by international organized crime require a coordinated response, as well as the implementation of international measures.”
The theme of this debate was “Transnational organized crime, growing challenges, and new threats to international peace and security.”
The Address
Foreign Minister Mario Búcaro emphasized that Guatemala is committed to working against transnational networks.
In his intervention, Minister Búcaro stated, “Due to our geographical position, today we commit to fighting against organized crime, which, despite efforts, continues to victimize us through networks that possess high-caliber weapons and inexhaustible power.”
He highlighted that these international networks also influence other crimes such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms trafficking, illicit trafficking of migrants, among others.
In response, he emphasized the need to strengthen the international approach to the challenges in the fight against transnational organized crime, including preventive measures in each member country.
About the Event
This ministerial-level event had the participation of the Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, María Gabriela Sommerfeld. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres; the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Ghada Fathi Waly, academic experts, and members of civil society also attended this forum.
The new Ecuadorian ambassador to the UN stated that organized crime affects various regions worldwide, including Latin America and the Caribbean. He noted that Ecuador has increasingly fallen victim to this scourge.
“We believe that, due to all its implications, even for international peace and security, greater synergies are needed between the organs of the United Nations system to promote international cooperation and the necessary tools to support national efforts in each state.”
Another follows this open debate on December 15, titled “Addressing the Threat to Peace and Security Posed by the Diversion, Illicit Trafficking, and Illicit Use of Small Arms and Light Weapons and Their Ammunition,” in which Ecuador has proposed a focus on women and women in conflict situations.
