All amounts in U.S. dollars. Numbers in italics are estimates, usually based on the closest year for which data are available.

All amounts in U.S. dollars. Numbers in italics are estimates, usually based on the closest year for which data are available.

All amounts in U.S. dollars.

All amounts in U.S. dollars.

Document: Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Program and Budget Guide, Fiscal Year 2010

Program: International Narcotics Control Economic Aid

FY 2010 Program Administration of Justice FY 2010 support will provide case management software and technical support to assist the GOG Attorney General (MP) to maintain accountability and monitoring procedures designed to track cases, promote timely interventions, and review strategies used in investigations and prosecutions. The program will also enhance investigative methods, complex case development and processing, through specialized inter-agency training. This includes technical assistance in applying best practices to ensure effective and transparent procedures for special investigators and their assistants, and technical assistance to special anti- corruption prosecutors. FY 2010 funds will also enable INL to provide technical assistance in drafting procedures, regulations and laws. Demand Reduction As trafficking intensifies in Guatemala, traffickers supply drugs as payment for services, increasing domestic supply, and gangs have become involved in retail drug sales. FY 2010 funds will support the SECCATID (the GOG demand reduction agency) in-school demand reduction programs, and education programs that promote closer cooperation with the police. This will be complemented by OAS-CICAD regional demand reduction training requested under the Merida Initiative. The newly-formed Police Athletic League program will be fully implemented by 2010, and INL support will enable the GOG to replicate the program in at least three additional areas by year-end. This program targets youth at risk for drug use and gang membership.

Document: Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Program and Budget Guide, Fiscal Year 2010

Program: International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement

Program Objectives and Performance Indicators Build the investigative and operational capacity of Guatemalan law enforcement agencies capacity to effectively disrupt drug trafficking, trans-border crime, and illicit crop production in Guatemala.

• Increased drug seizures, and arrests, prosecution and conviction of drug traffickers.
• Gang-related crime drops in areas served by the Government of Guatemala (GOG) integrated gang program.
• Anti-gang program is expanded to additional areas.

Document: PANAMAX: Teamwork against terrorism

Program: Exercises

Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX is an annual exercise tailored to the defense of the Panama Canal against transnational threats. PANAMAX 2009 is designed to address a spectrum of possible threats, including terrorist acts against the canal, to ensure a multinational force can respond to any request for support from the Government of Panama while respecting national sovereignty.

Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX is an annual exercise tailored to the defense of the Panama Canal against transnational threats. PANAMAX 2009 is designed to address a spectrum of possible threats, including terrorist acts against the canal, to ensure a multinational force can respond to any request for support from the Government of Panama while respecting national sovereignty.

Ultimately Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX is about working together and learning from each other in order to promote trust and foster willingness for continued collaboration and teamwork. PANAMAX offers the opportunity to strengthen the ability to operate together which ultimately strengthens security of the hemisphere.

Participants and observers include forces from Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the United States and Uruguay. The ground portion of the exercise is being conducted at Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis, both in San Antonio from Sept. 13-21.

Document: U.S. Army Leads Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise in Guatemala

Program: Exercises

The U.S. Army is working hand-in-hand with the Central American Armed Forces Conference to enhance stability and cooperation throughout the region with their annual Peace Keeping Operations Exercise here.

The current three-week-long exercise consists of various training venues and culminates with a final command-post exercise Aug. 15-17 where students will get a chance to put into practice all the information and skills they learned during the annual Peace Keeping Operations Exercise

This is the third and final phase of annual exercises designed specifically for this region.

The conference, known as CFAC, is comprised of The Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras and was established approximately a decade ago.

This annual exercise equips CFAC troops with the knowledge and tools to effectively execute peacekeeping missions and respond to natural disasters, within United Nations standards, throughout the region.

During this 16-day phase, a class consisting of 86 students representing the various countries, learn everything from convoy and security operations to medical evacuation and public affairs procedures all within United Nations guidelines.

The exercise took approximately 3 months of coordination and planning and the team is already looking to plan future exercises, said Kempf. “Next year, the focus country will be Chile, and in 2011, it will be in Brazil.”

The overall goal is to enhance interoperability and improve security and cooperation of the people in the region

Document: FY 2010 Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations

The United States aims to work in partnership with the Government of Guatemala (GOG) to promote a more secure, prosperous, educated, and healthy society where the rule of law prevails and human rights are respected. U.S. assistance will focus on the following key goals: supporting counter-narcotics programs and transnational crime efforts, as well as stabilization operations and security sector reform; confronting the challenges of growing crime and gang violence; increasing government effectiveness; supporting trade and investment, agriculture, environmental protection, and private sector competitiveness programs; mitigating the impacts of the global financial crisis; increasing and improving investments in health and access to quality health services; containing the HIV/AIDS epidemic; improving food security; and supporting the long-term goal of increasing equitable access to quality education.

Peace and Security: U.S. assistance remains critical to enhancing Guatemala’s capabilities to combat violent and organized crime. U.S. assistance will target GOG narcotics monitoring, eradication, and intervention programs. A new National Forensic Institute will benefit from U.S. Government partnership and capacity-building. Police at all levels will receive training to improve their investigation techniques, become more professionalized, and deepen their collaboration with the prosecutorial and judicial branches of government. U.S. support for the Model Precinct Program and the Police Center for Collection, Analysis, and Distribution of Criminal Information will be expanded. U.S. support and training will help Guatemala fight illicit activities such as bulk cash smuggling, arms trafficking, money laundering, and trafficking in persons. The U.S. will build on the success of the Department of State's Anti-Gang program, the only such program currently operating in the region. Additionally, the funds will allow the U.S. Military Group to greatly increase the capability of the Guatemalan military to respond to disasters, combat narco-traffickers, and participate in international peacekeeping operations in Haiti, Congo, and elsewhere.

Governing Justly and Democratically: Given growing pressures in Guatemala that negatively affect democratic reform, the Governing Justly and Democratically Objective continues to be the top U.S. policy priority. The United States, in partnership with other donors, will continue to provide support to the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). U.S. assistance will strengthen Guatemalan democratic security sector governance by enhancing strategic planning and analysis capabilities and transparency of justice and security institutions. In this area the U.S. will: support the implementation of a legal framework, consistent with international law and democratic practice; provide technical assistance for the efficient management of key tools for security operations; improve strategic analysis and oversight capacities of justice and security institutions; and improve investigation and prosecution of homicide, narcotics and organized and gang-related crime, and management of judicial hearings and trials.

U.S. assistance will seek to improve interaction between local communities and police, advise the GOG on improving internal operations and functions of the national and local police, and offer innovative alternatives for gang prevention, rehabilitation, and social reinsertion. These activities will complement those expected 604 to be carried out under the Merida Initiative, including activities targeted towards communities that are vulnerable to crime. U.S. assistance will build on past anti-corruption efforts to create a culture of ethics, prosecute corruption cases, solidify systematic changes that establish checks and balances, enhance transparency and accountability, and support implementation of the recently approved Freedom of Information law. The United States will support efforts to consolidate and institutionalize the decentralization process in Guatemala by strengthening local governments and opening new channels for local participation. U.S. programs will work to increase citizen access to the justice system beginning with a user-friendly complaint and crime tip reporting system. U.S. programs will also support free and fair elections in 2011 in an environment with improved security. Finally, the United States will assist vulnerable Guatemalans repatriated from the United States to resettle and seek economic opportunities and basic services in Guatemala.

Investing in People: U.S. assistance responds to the GOG’s commitment to improve and increase investments in the social sector and to improve the nutrition and health status of women and children. Despite important achievements in the health and education status of its population, Guatemala still has to improve many of its social sector indicators, especially in the rural areas where the inequalities between indigenous and non-indigenous populations are most evident. The current Guatemalan Administration is taking actions to increase and improve social sector investment with the ultimate goal of rescuing a generation from poverty. To support these efforts, U.S. health and education assistance is aligned with GOG programs to reduce infant and maternal mortality and chronic malnutrition, increase and improve public and private sector investments in health and education, expand access to education and health care, increase coverage and quality of services, improve the GOG Ministries of Health and Education information and management systems to increase efficiency and transparency, and support civil society participation in the development of the legal framework for health. In FY 2010, the United States will also continue to seek alliances with national and international private sector entities and collaborate with other donors to support programs that focus on improving the quality, equity, and efficiency of education, maternal and child health, nutrition of mothers and children, family planning and reproductive health, and containing the spread of 605 HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.

Economic Growth: Broad-based, rural-driven, economic growth and poverty reduction is a shared priority of the United States and the GOG. The U.S. will continue supporting the GOG’s efforts to develop and implement policies, laws, and regulations needed to promote competitiveness and rural development, and to strengthen institutions. U.S. assistance programs will help prepare small-scale producers and the poor to take full advantage of a free-trade environment, and promote indigenous participation in local, national, regional, and international markets. U.S. programs will continue to support micro-, small-, and medium-size businesses, especially in the horticulture, coffee, value-added forest products, and ecological-cultural tourism sectors. Focused technical assistance and training and small-scale infrastructure projects are key to improve productivity, especially mini-irrigation systems, packing, cold chain, and storage facilities critical to agricultural value chains, with the goal of linking producers to markets. The United States will also support biodiversity conservation in endangered sites and carbon sequestration credit programs. U.S. investments will support GOG efforts to expand trade, promote agricultural diversification, strengthen agriculture research and extension services to improve food security, helping the rural poor to cope with the effects of the financial crisis, and streamline business regulations. The U.S. will seek alliances with private sector entities and collaborate with other donors and international financial institutions including the Inter-American Development Bank and World Bank, to increase the scope of rural development efforts. U.S. programs will continue to assist the GOG to meet its commitments, including environmental protection under the Central America Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement. P.L. 480 Title II activities will focus on increasing productivity and promoting income diversification to incorporate vegetable and fruit crop production for local and regional markets and diversification, thus improving family nutrition and household income through sales of these crops.

U.S. assistance in agriculture aims to increase the economic inclusion of rural producers, since approximately 36 percent of the economically active work in the agricultural sector, of which 74 percent live below the poverty line. In FY 2008, U.S. agriculture programs applied value-chain methodology to establish a link between small-scale farmers and buyers. Specific activities included technical assistance and training to small-scale farmers in agricultural, manufacturing and business practices, including sanitary and phytosanitary standards. U.S. agriculture programs also helped rural farmers transition to market-based production by establishing and strengthening producer organizations. A total of 11,046 rural households have benefited under the agriculture program area with development assistance funds. In addition to these achievements, the P.L. 480 Title II food security program benefited 8,796 households by providing assistance to increase agricultural productivity through new technologies. In FY 2010, additional U.S. 606 assistance (including P.L. 480) will enable such activities to continue and expand, significantly increasing the levels of benefiting rural households from 12,350 rural households in 2010 to 88,000 in 2011.

Document: International Narcotics Control Strategy Report

As the Mexican cartels make greater inroads, the Colom administration will be faced with even greater security challenges in Guatemala. While U.S. assistance will play an important role in interdiction efforts and the prosecution of major traffickers, success of the GOG's counternarcotics activities will depend to a large extent on the political will of the Colom administration to confront corruption and to make available the resources needed to improve law enforcement....

For its part, the USG will provide significant support in the coming year under the Merida Initiative--a partnership between the governments of the United States, Mexico, Central America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic to confront the violent national and transnational gangs and organized criminal and narcotics trafficking organizations that plague the entire region, the activities of which spill over into the United States. The Merida Initiative will fund a variety of programs that will strengthen the institutional capabilities of participating governments by supporting efforts to investigate, sanction and prevent corruption within law enforcement agencies; facilitating the transfer of critical law enforcement investigative information within and between regional governments; and funding equipment purchases, training, community policing and economic and social development programs. Bilateral agreements with the participating governments were in the process of being negotiated and signed at the time this report was prepared.

Document: International Narcotics Control Strategy Report

Policy Initiatives. The USG provides support to the GOG Public Ministry, the Civilian National Police and the specialized Drug Police for GOG initiatives to improve its capability to interdict drugs and arrest and prosecute major traffickers. This includes: the drafting of the Organized Crime bill, which is still pending regulations for implementation; support for the new extradition law; and support for the Aerial Joint Task Force.

Bilateral Cooperation. In 2008, the USG provided technical assistance in drafting the new extradition law and also supported the Attorney General's efforts to combat corruption in the Public Ministry with a week-long ethics seminar and training that was attended by 87 senior officials of the Ministry of Government (MOG) and other government entities. Training for Public Ministry (MP) attorneys focused on case development, case management, development of a statistical reporting capability, and strengthening the MP's capacity to fight internal corruption. The USG-funded drug detection canine program (K-9) currently has 47 trained handlers and, in 2008, trained and certified 19 K-9 instructors from four different countries throughout the region and trained ten K-9 handlers from El Salvador and Guatemala. The USG-supported Model Precinct program has had an impact on drug use and retail drug sales in 2008; although it's primary focus is improved policing, public security and implementing anti-gang measures. The U.S. Coast Guard provided leadership and maritime law enforcement training to Guatemalan Navy personnel.

The NAS Aviation Support Program (ASP) consists of four loaned helicopters and a training program. It has provided flexibility in support of eradication operations especially in the area of intelligence gathering. The Ministry of Government has provided substantial funding for fuel for the program and is making preparations to take over all fuel expenses for the ASP beginning in January 2009. In 2008 the USG also provided technical assistance in drafting a manual for the National Civilian Police (PNC) which will provide explicit instructions for the investigators on how to implement the Organized Crime Law that was passed in 2006.

Document: Section 1209 Report to Congress on Foreign-Assitance Related Programs Carried out by the Department of Defense

Program: Humanitarian and Civic Assistance

Project will cause the local populace to have more trust and confidence in the host nation military. This project supports USSOUTHCOM TSC goal to shape the environment by promoting democracy, regional prosperity, and stability.

Document: FY 2008 Supplemental Appropriations Spending Plan

Program: International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement

Peace and Security ($19.8 million)

These funds strengthen the ability of law enforcement institutions to fight crime, violence and trafficking in drugs and arms. The assistance provides law enforcement institutions the knowledge and tools needed to be more effective, with a focus on regional efforts to address threats that do not respect borders. The program will provide law enforcement tools such as vetted units and drug information systems to fight drug trafficking organizations. A fingerprint analysis initiative will identify criminals who move from country to country within the region and to the United States and allow sharing of this information between law enforcement agencies of the region and the United States Regional. In addition, funds will support training through International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) to improve law enforcement and establishes connections. This program also funds protective, communication and transportation equipment for police.

The program supports all the elements of the U.S. Strategy to Combat Criminal Gangs from Central America and Mexico. A modest amount of funding supports the security dialogue with the Central America countries through SICA and with other international partners. A system is being developed to provide recipient nations with relevant criminal background information on repatriated nationals. Technical assistance and training will be provided to gang units by FBI trainers and through officer exchanges with U.S. law enforcement, enhancing the capacity of all involved to fight transnational gangs.

Governing Justly and Democratically ($5 million)

Funding will be used to expand a prison management initiative. Corrections experts will advise host country officials in each national prison system in identifying the organizational development needs, effective operating procedures, and appropriate technologies to improve the security of prison facilities. To strengthen the criminal justice systems in the region, technical assistance will be provided to enhance prosecutorial capacity and encourage cooperation between' prosecutors, judges and police. Assistance will include regional training programs for all countries as well as particularized training for individual countries most affected by gang violence. A grant will be provided to CICIG through the United Nations to support its work against corruption and impunity in Guatemala.

Document: FY 2008 Supplemental Appropriations Spending Plan

Program: Economic Support Fund

Governing Justly and Democratically ($20 million)

ESF funds will be used to promote economic and social development and good governance in targeted, low income areas, including rural communities vulnerable to drug trafficking, gang violence and organized crime. Support will be provided in the areas of gang prevention, community policing and establishing a community action fund targeted to poor, economically challenged and violent crime communities. Activities will reach countries in the sub-region based on existing gang violence and vulnerable youth with an emphasis on the northern tier, e.g., Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.

Gang prevention activities would increase security by helping communities, local governments and the private sector to better address the causes of gang recruitment, crime and violence in the region. The program would also build the capacity of communities and governments to provide safe alternatives for at-risk youth most vulnerable to gang activities and enhance law enforcement efforts to reduce crime. Community policing activities would strengthen the level of cooperation between the police and community organizations and citizens to reduce gang effectiveness and recruitment, increase successful arrests of gang members and greatly improve understanding, trust and information sharing. Patrolling, community education and joint activities will be undertaken under this program. Establishing a community action fund will provide innovative solutions to reach at-risk youth in targeted areas with vocational education, training, and job opportunities. The program will also build the capacity of communities to manage at-risk youth activities, undertake small infrastructure improvement projects that improve citizen accessibility and foster a job creation, enabling environment that accommodates youth apprenticeships and mentoring. Private sector partnerships will be sought to the extent feasible.

Investing in People ($5 million)

These funds will allow the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) to focus on the disadvantaged, minority and indigenous communities, women and other populations at risk from criminal and other anti-social forces intent on destabilization in the region. ECA/A proposes to expand to Central America successful pilot efforts that have operated in South America and form the core of the Partnership for Latin American Youth described in the ECA's FY 2009 budget request. Activities, which will take place in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, include:

Academic Programs - $4 million
• English Access Microscholarships ($1.5 million) - to support 1,000 14-18 year old students in Central America for two years of English study in after-school learning programs. These students will develop the communication skills to acquire better jobs in the local economy, additional background to help them succeed in advanced study at home and make them eligible to participate in and competitive for USG funded Youth Exchange and higher education exchanges. English competence is a universally recognized employment tool. In order to change social structures, improve economic equality and support social justice, ECA needs to provide individuals with the tools they need to develop a stake in their societies and the access to advanced education and quality information resources.

• Community College Program ($1.6 million) - to support up to 54 students in community college programs (including a pre-academic English language program). This initiative will focus on key skills identified in concert with partner governments that will lead to employment and the improvement of important sectors in the national economies, such as health care, tourism, agriculture, applied engineering and information technology competencies. The program will lead to one-year certificate programs and is designed to reintroduce those with improved skills quickly into society.

• Opportunity Grants ($250,000) - to provide scholarship awards that allow the USG to foster the development of talent among disadvantaged undergraduate students who would be at risk from destabilizing forces and offer them an alternative path. Through this program, non-elite students gain the ability to compete for scholarships from U.S. colleges and universities, giving them the opportunity for long term study and experience in the United States that they will share with their home countries upon their return. The Opportunity Grants provide awards that cover the up-front costs of testing, applications, travel and initial fees to students who are strong candidates to receive full scholarships from U.S. colleges and universities. The grants are provided through Education USA advising centers in consultation with our Embassies.

• Summer/Winter Institute ($300,000) - to fund one institute with up to 22 participants for six weeks, focusing on American society and leadership development. This program may be conducted in Spanish at a U.S. college or university so that it is readily accessible to disadvantaged populations which might not have significant fluency and facility in the use of English. The program has several objectives: to expose student leaders many of whom are resistant to considering study in the U.S. about the openness and value of U.S. higher education.

• Short-Term English Study Program ($350,000) - to support two cohorts of 20 undergraduate students to come to the U.S. for up eight weeks of intensive English. The most significant hurdle facing less advantaged but talented students who wish to study in the U.S. is lack of proficiency in the use of English. This program will be a first for Latin America but it has been successfully utilized in Indonesia, where concern about ability to communicate in English is the major deterrent to competing for U.S. college and university admission. This program will clearly signal to talented non-elite students, who have not had the benefit of private school or elite metropolitan public school education and foreign language learning that the people of the U.S. want to engage with them and work with them through education to enhance both our partnership and our democratic societies.

Professional and Cultural Exchanges -$1 million
The Youth Programs Division will support a Youth Leadership Program model for $1 million that will bring secondary school-aged youth (ages 16-18) from the seven countries in Central America to the United States for three-week exchanges focused on entrepreneurship and business skills, community engagement, and leadership. The participants will be recruited from underserved or disadvantaged populations of youth in these countries, including public school students, high school dropouts, and those at risk for involvement with drugs and/or gang activities.

During 2009, five exchange projects in the United States will be offered for a total of approximately 110 youth. One project for Belize will be conducted in English. Four other projects will be conducted in Spanish, with interpreters accompanying the students, which will allow a broader range of students to participate. The Spanish projects will be single-country or regional projects, i.e., a group of students may be drawn from multiple participating countries in order to promote regional cooperation. The exchanges will be organized at various points throughout 2009, including during the U.S. school year.

The organizations that receive grants will recruit and select the exchange participants, provide a U.S.-based exchange experience, and lead the alumni in implementing projects in their home communities, enabling them to apply their newfound skills. Where feasible, youth alumni may be matched with adult alumni of U.S. exchanges in a mentoring or advising relationship. A portion of the funding will be used to support in-country activities with all participants, regardless of whether they traveled to the United States on the same exchange, in order to promote integration among youth in each country.

The projects will help the youth nurture their dreams of making a good living and supporting a family as they grow into adulthood in their communities. The exchange activities will focus on school-to-work transition, allowing the participants to develop practical business and job skills, such as communication, technology, marketing, and financial management skills. They will also explore the effective and sustainable use of resources, learn about civic engagement, life skills, and ethics, and identify the appropriate conditions for entrepreneurial projects. Activities will include workshops, school visits, community service/volunteer work, and site visits with community organizations and local businesses. Participants will live with American host families for a portion of the exchange period and have opportunities to interact with their American peers, including students of Spanish.