News Americas, New York, NY, 3 October 2024: The United States and Guatemala have reaffirmed their commitment to enhance security, democracy and the rule of law through a newly established high-level security dialogue. This inaugural dialogue, announced in a joint statement by both governments, marks an important milestone in strengthening their bilateral relations and addressing common security challenges.
The dialogue will focus on a joint strategy to combat transnational security threats, with both countries recognizing that enhanced cooperation is vital to addressing issues such as drug trafficking, organized crime and corruption. US and Guatemalan officials also emphasized the importance of transparency and good governance in advancing these shared goals.
A key element of this partnership is the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), which commits approximately $100 million to Guatemala’s security and justice initiatives. The investment, announced in Washington, DC, in March 2024, is part of the “Guatemala Se Transforma” initiative, which includes three main pillars: Alliances, Good Governance and Safe Communities.
alliances
During the dialogue, both governments emphasized the value of building partnerships with a diverse range of actors, including the private sector, indigenous groups and Garifuna communities. These discussions aim to promote cooperation on security measures, particularly in Guatemalan ports, and to create community-based solutions to local challenges. Additionally, efforts will be made to strengthen the National Civilian Police by promoting the recruitment and retention of women, indigenous people and Garifuna communities to ensure a more representative force.
Good Governance
Both the US and Guatemala emphasized the need for strong action to fight corruption and strengthen democratic institutions. Guatemala is taking steps to modernize its National Civil Police to better respond to new security threats, increase accountability, and improve services to citizens. The dialogue also highlighted the importance of strategies to foster citizens’ trust and create stronger reporting mechanisms to fight corruption.
Safe communities
Both countries recognized Guatemala’s significant efforts in the fight against drug trafficking, particularly with a marked increase in drug interdictions, amounting to almost 11,000 kilograms of illegal substances seized by September 2024 – a 223 percent increase compared to with last year. Guatemala is also set to introduce new regulations to control and investigate the use of chemical precursors in the production of synthetic drugs, including fentanyl.
In addition, the US will support the certification of the Fraijanes Rehabilitation and Reintegration Center 1 by the American Correctional Association, a step toward improving prison conditions in Guatemala according to international standards.
To strengthen anti-corruption measures within the security sector, the US will extend its support to Guatemala’s National Commission Against Corruption, helping to implement mechanisms consistent with international anti-corruption conventions.
Commitment to continuous dialogue
Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to the continuation of the High Level Security Dialogue, which will focus on strategic planning and the implementation of short, medium and long term initiatives. The dialogue is seen as a way to increase bilateral capacity to address national security issues and the root causes of migration, thereby fostering greater security and prosperity in the region.
This new dialogue builds on previous high-level engagements between the two nations, including the US-Guatemala High-Level Economic Dialogue in March and the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Ministerial Protection in May, furthering shared objectives of promoting security, democracy. and economic prosperity throughout Guatemala and the wider region.
