After the departure of Werner Ovalle as Vice Minister Anti -Narcotics, to assume as Superintendent of Tax Administration (SAT), the square remains vacant in a context of violence starring gangs that, according to the authorities, seek to gain ground in the sale of drug off -minude.
The anti -narcotics vice ministry of the Ministry of the Interior continues without the titular authority since April 11. One of the flagella that causes the most violence in the country is the sale of retail drugs, which according to police investigators has gone from gangs.
Security and former official analyzes agree that the position requires not only technical experience in drug trafficking issues, but also independence, training in national and international law, and a solid relationship with key actors, such as the United States embassy.
For the security analyst Federico Reyes, the vacancy in office represents a worrying omission for the country’s security policy, and refers that the person who assumes this function must have a solid professional profile, with specific knowledge about the transfer of drugs and the routes used for drug trafficking.
“It is not necessary for him to be a lawyer or notary; it can be a sociologist, political scientist or expert in citizen security. The fundamental thing is that he possesses proven experience and domain in the subject,” he said.
Beyond academic training, Reyes points out that it is key that whoever occupies this position has full knowledge of national and international law, especially anti -drug laws. In addition, it must maintain an excellent relationship with strategic actors such as the United States Embassy and that of Mexico, given the cooperation that these countries provide in the fight against drug trafficking.
The analyst adds that the last officials who have held the position, such as Werner Ovalle, have adequately complied with that profile. However, it warns that it is not enough to know the issue from an institutional perspective, but it is also necessary to know how to act in specific situations, such as the management of clandestine clues in rural communities or maritime operations.
“This should not be a temporary or merely administrative appointment. It should be sought to people who have worked with specialized agencies from the United Nations or who have specific training in drug trafficking issues,” he said.
Reyes believes that there are few suitable profiles in the country, and that it is the task of the Ministry of the Interior to prepare a very small list of trained candidates, so that the appointment process is more agile.
Assessment
According to Zoel Franco Security analyst, although the position of Vice Minister Anti -Narcotics has not yet been appointed, the Ministry of the Interior has the ability to define strategies to combat narcomenudeo effectively. However, he acknowledges that it is important to appoint that authority as soon as possible, since he will be the person in charge of directing all the operational and strategic actions in this sensitive area, although care must be taken not to have links with organized crime structures.
Franco assumes that the delay in the appointment could be due to rigorous selection processes, which he considers necessary given the complexity and delicacy of the phenomenon of drug trafficking in Guatemala, which has been increasing in recent years.
From your perspective, the right profile to occupy this position must include experience in criminal prosecution strategies and criminal phenomena, especially drug trafficking.
Franco also emphasizes that the Ministry has begun to take actions against criminal structures, which has generated consequences. When dismantling criminal organizations, according to the expert, the pieces within these structures tend to rearrange, which causes a violent reaction.
“Although there have been numerous catches, according to the first police investigations, these groups have been behind the recent armed attacks that occurred in the country,” he said.
No paintings
Regarding the delay in the appointment of the new Deputy Minister, the former Governor of the Interior Mario Mérida points out that, if the Government had prepared technical cadres, the change would have been automatic, as happened with the appointment of the new director of the Penitentiary System. However, he considers that finding truly suitable people for high -level positions remains a challenge, partly due to the limited preparation of many available profiles.
“If the current government lacks something is of paintings for certain positions,” he said.
Mérida considers that the most appropriate would be to create a specific direction or department against drug trafficking, instead of continuing to accumulate functions in a system that has already bureaucratized excessively. Currently, the Ministry of the Interior has six vice ministers, which, according to him, complicates the operation of the security system.
The former Vice Minister warns that criminal gangs are appropriating the areas with the greatest demand for narcomenudeo, fed by a growing consumption of narcotics among young people.
“This makes the activity highly profitable for criminal groups, which will hardly be willing to give control of that market, since it represents one of its main sources of income and responds to its strategic objectives,” he said.
Mérida also underlines the influence exerted by the United States embassy on issues related to the fight against drug trafficking, and states that, in general, the person who is designated must receive some approval from the US government.
It was tried to obtain a position with the Ministry of the Interior about the delay in the appointment of said position but it was not possible to obtain an answer.