They address issues on the fight against drug trafficking, migration and security

guatemalalacapital_iqw7v5 September 29, 2022

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Guatemala City, Sep 28 (AGN).- As part of the work tour in the United States, the Minister of the Interior, David Napoleón Barrientos, and the Chief of the National Defense General Staff, William López, representing the Government of Guatemala, held several meetings with officials from that nation, in which they addressed the fight against drug trafficking, migration and security.

Through a statement, the Ministry of the Interior (MIngob) highlighted that the Guatemalan officials met in the first instance with Emili Medrala, deputy assistant secretary of the Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs of the Department of State.

The challenges of irregular migration, actions against drug trafficking and respect for the rule of law were addressed. Likewise, the official thanked Guatemala for its support to Ukraine and recognized the robust and multidimensional relationship between both countries, stands out in the statement.

Lines of action

Guatemalan officials later met with George Papadopoulos, Deputy Chief of International Operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The Mingob highlights that among the issues addressed are the actions carried out by the Government of Guatemala to combat drug activity in the country.

In this sense, the arrests of people identified for this class of crimes and for extradition purposes to the United States were highlighted.

Also, the great advances in the destruction of precursors and chemical substances. Mr. Papadopoulos took the opportunity to acknowledge and thank the Government of Guatemala for its close collaboration in carrying out investigative cases with positive results, is added to the statement.

Meeting

The head of the interior portfolio and the chief of the National Defense Staff also met with Patrick J. Lechleinter, deputy director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE, in English).

The statement mentions that they discussed the joint threats and challenges for the security of the region.

Mr. Lechleintner expressed that the relationship and cooperation with the Guatemalan authorities is one of the most important and fruitful among his different offices around the world, which has become an example of cooperation in the region, stands out.