After meeting this Thursday, June 4, with the General Francis Donovan, President Bernardo Arévalo stated that Guatemala “has shown that it is not willing to give up its borders, its institutions and its future to organized crime” and thanked the US Government for its willingness to collaborate in the country’s security efforts.
“Our meeting strengthens the bilateral cooperation that we maintain in matters of security, the fight against drug trafficking and the fight against transnational organized crime,” the president added on his social networks.
The meeting also included the participation of the Minister of Defense, Henry Sáenz, and was held within the framework of the existing cooperation agreements between both countries.
According to the Government of Guatemala, during the meeting the progress made in recent months to counter threats that represent the drug trafficking networks and other transnational criminal organizations that affect the security, stability and development of the region.
In a statement, the United States Southern Command indicated that Donovan’s two-day visit was aimed at continuing the bilateral dialogue with the Guatemalan authorities to expand defense cooperation and advance the shared commitment within the framework of the Coalition of the Americas against Cartelsa hemispheric initiative that brings together 18 countries to strengthen regional security.
Visit after debate
Donovan’s arrival comes a week after reports emerged about an alleged acceptance by Guatemala of joint air strikes with the United States to combat drug trafficking.
However, the Guatemalan authorities They rejected that interpretation and they clarified that cooperation with Washington remains within the current mechanisms for information exchange, training, technical assistance and support for national security forces.
In this context, the visit of the head of the Southern Command seeks to follow up on joint efforts in regional security and strengthen coordination to confront transnational threats such as drug trafficking and organized crime.
The Government indicated that the strengthening of borders, the recovery of territorial control and the fight against criminal structures continue to be priorities of the Arévalo administration.
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