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: 2008 End-Use Monitoring Report

Program: International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement

GUATEMALA CITY

Background
EUM Program Coordinator
Bruce Elliott, Tel: 502-2361-3737; elliottb@state.gov

Inventory System
Post developed an integrated procurement and inventory/EUM database designed to track physical inventory 'cradle to grade.' The inventory clerk (administrative clerk/receptionist) records newly acquired items, linking them to the appropriate purchase request, and the receiving report. The inventory list reports are available by physical location to facilitate monitoring.

Staff Member Responsibilities
Project Advisers coordinate nation participation; the Logistics Coordinator coordinates NAS service staff participation and verification of data acquired; the Administrative Clerk participates in the physical inventory process and updates all dates in the inventory system; the Assistant Inventory Clerk participates in the physical inventory process and disposal of materials;
the Canine School Maintenance Supervisor handles the periodic inventory of commodities and provisions for the Regional Ant-Narcotics Training facility and the SAIA and DIPA Canine Narcotics Detection units within the country; the Computer Systems Manager participates in the periodic inventory of AP equipment located throughout the country; the Computer Assistant participates in the periodic inventory of computer equipment throughout Guatemala; the Motor Pool Dispatcher participates in the physical inventory process; the Motor Pool Assistant participates in the physical inventory process; the Communications Technician participates in the detailed inventory of all communications equipment located around the country including the repeater sites; the Aviation Adviser assists with coordinating EUM of all aviation related equipment located within Guatemala.

All employees noted above helped to supervise and monitor distribution of property to host nation organizations and conduct inventories and property reconciliation.

Counterpart Agencies
Counter-Drug Police (DIPA and SAIA) Criminal Investigative Police (CID) Prosecutors Rule of Law (MP) Demand Reduction (SECCATID) Aviation Support Project (ASP)

Receipt
All equipment or items donated to the above host government agencies are recorded on a receiving document signed by the appropriate NAS and GOG personnel. The document will specify the equipment being donated and note the NAS inventory and/or the manufacturer's serial number and its intended use.

Status-Commodities

Communications Equipment
The NAS purchased the majority of its program radio communications for the Counter Drug Police (DIPA and SAIA) prior to CY-98. The GOG contacted a communications company to provide radio communications and maintenance support for the Civil National Police (PNC) through a plan called 'Plan Lazzro.' By the middle of 2008, the SAIA and DIPA were incorporated into the PNC communications network. The NAS Communications Technician, with the assistance of SAIA and/or DIPA personnel, continue to conduct regular maintenance and perform End Use Monitoring inspections of all radio communications equipment throughout the host nation. NAS personnel verify the proper use of the equipment during these visits.

Two UHF antennas were purchased in CY-2008 for 2 SAIA off-site located in Excuintla. Four romni-directional antennas were purchased in CY-2007 and are located in NAS warehouse. One HF long wire antenna purchased in CY-2007 has enabled a SAIA operated mobile listening unit. A semi-mobile directional 80- foot tower used to support a mobile listening unit was purchased and constructed in 2008 and is located in Excuintla Naval Base. The NAS also purchased 11 GPS units with CY-02 and CY-04 funds to assist DIPA and SAIA with eradication operations. These units are stored in their respective HQ Guatemala City offices.

The NAS purchased two handheld Motorola VHF radios in 2008 for the Aviation Support Project. These and one RT100 HB base station is located in the ASP Hanger Guatemala City. One King VHF base radio station and one VHF antenna are located at Airport Petén.

Computer Equipment
Computer equipment is located at DIPA HQ Guatemala City; DIPA Airport, DIPA Puerto Quetzal, DIPA Pedro de Alvarado, DIPA Talcum Unman, Dip Puerto Barrios, DIPA and SAIA Puerto Santo Tomas, SAIA Guatemala City SAIA Regional CD Training Facility and SAIA Quetzaltenang.

Criminal Investigative Police (CID) donated equipment is located at the CRADIC PNC Criminal Lab Zone 6, PNC Investigation Section, PNC DINC Academy, PNC Villa Canales, PNC computer Facility Annex 6, PNC Villa Hermosa and PNC Villa Nueva.

Prosecutors Rule of Law (MP) donated equipment is located at MP Gerona office, MP Narcotic Prosecution zone 6, MP Technical Scientific Department, MP Agency for Women and Children, MP Anti-bank Robbery Unit, MP Anti- Kidnapping Unit, MP Anti-Narcotics Unit, MP Car Theft Unit, MP Antinarcotics Chiquimula, MP computer facility zone 1, MP anticorruption zone 1, MP Anti- Narcotics Investigative Support Group (GAPI), MP FDN Chiquimula, MP FDN Quetzaltenango, MP Financial Analysis Zone Unit, MP Human Rights Unit, MP Incinerations Lab, MP Money Laundering and Financial Crime Unit, MP Special Task Force, MP Organized Crime Unit, MP Special Task Force, MP Support Group Pet, MP Agency 9 Zone 1, MP FCN Sabin, Pent, MP INACIF central, MP Prosecutor Organized Crime Warehouse, MP ADP Warehouse, MP and Office Zone, MP FDN Isabel,

Demand Reduction (SECCATID) donated equipment is at the Ambulatory Treatment Center, SECCATID HQ zone 10,

Aviation Support Project (ASP) donated equipment is located at ASP Hanger Guatemala City, and ASP Hanger Flores, Petén.

Vehicles
The NAS purchased 2 new vehicles and 31 motorcycles during 2007. The majority of the vehicles are dedicated to the SAIA program. The SAIA, DIPA, PNC, PM, and SECCATID vehicles are being used nationwide by the respective agencies in support of counternarcotics operations. All SAIA vehicles provided by the NAS and the GOG receive routine preventive and corrective maintenance by the NAS/SAIA Automotive Shop. When the shop is not capable of performing the maintenance, the work is evaluated by NAS maintenance personnel, reviewed by the Logistics Coordinator, approved by the Program Manager and contracted out. The PM vehicles are evaluated by the NAS Mechanic, reviewed by the Logistics Coordinator, approved by the Program Manager and receive routine preventive and corrective maintenance from a local contractor. Proper use of the vehicle is verified during the continuous maintenance performed by the NAS maintenance personnel. Any incidence of improper use are reported to the respective program manger and dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

SAIA occasionally acquires seized vehicles for counternarcotics operations. The NAS continues to work with the GOG to incorporate seized vehicles into the SAIA vehicle fleet to maximize the use of limited resources. The NAS also provides limited preventative and corrective maintenance for these vehicles. Presently, there are two such vehicles used for SAIA throughout Guatemala.

The NAS is formally transferring title of all program vehicles over to the GOG agencies. They are distributed as follows: Narcotics Program-22 SUV's, 1 van, 49 pickup trucks, 5 trucks (10 ton), 24 motorcycles; Police Program-3 SUV's, 2 vans, one pickup truck, 21 motorcycles; Public Ministry Program-21 SUV's, 3 pickup trucks, 4 motorcycles; Demand Reduction Progam-1 SUV, 1 van; PD&S- 2 SUV's.

Narcotics Program
SUV
22
Van
1
Pickup truck
49
Truck (5 ton)
5
Motorcycles
24

Public Ministry Program
SUV
21
Pickup truck
3
Motorcycle
4

Demand Reduction Program
SUV
1
Van
1

Police Program
SUV
3
Van
2
Pickup
1

Vessels
The two 25' Boston Whaler fiberglass boats that were previously purchased by the NAS prior to 1999 remain in the SAIA fleet located on the coast. One is located on the Caribbean Coast at Puerto Santo Tomas and the other is located at Puerto Quetzal, on the Pacific Coast. Both were used for limited brown-water counternarcotics operations.

JICC
The Guatemalan Joint Information Coordination Center (JICC) is located in SAIA central headquarters. It stores and collates information to help develop intelligence for support to SAIA investigations and operations. The 24-hour hot line was discontinued. Now a 110 hotline is manned and operated by the PNC, which permits callers to anonymously provide information on suspected illicit activity.

The JICC consists of 1 server, 12 desktop computers, 3 printers, 1 phone line, 1 TV and 1 scanner. The computers are linked to a server through a local network cable connection, which is also linked to the national police information management system via a fiber optic switch. The NAS maintains and upgrades the computers, servers, and associated equipment. The development of an adequate database is ongoing.

Construction

PNC Criminal Intelligence Unit-CRADIC-
The Police Program fully equipped and provided security upgrades for this criminal analysis office located in Zone 1 of Guatemala City. The project was begun in November 2007 and completed in December.

Waldemar Project
This project consists of office furniture and equipment provided by the Police Program. The PNC investigative office is located in San Benito, Peten. The project was begun in January and completed in April of 2007.

Canine Training Facility
During 2007, the NAS retired six drug and explosive detention canines. The dogs primarily went to their respective handlers' home for permanent care. The NAS procured 11 new drug and explosive canines. The 43 drug detection and six explosive detection canines provide SAIA and DIPA program support in counternarcotics operations, the airport, highway, sea and land border ports of entry and passage.

Laboratory Equipment
The USG provides laboratory equipment to the MP for drug verification and identification. The equipment is installed in a MP laboratory in the capital. The NAS provides maintenance support. EUM inspections confirm that these items are being used for the purpose intended.

Aircraft Fuel
The NAS provided fuel support for the Guatemalan Air Force assets that were used in four poppy eradication operations which were conducted in 2007.

Miscellaneous Items
The NAS purchased a wide variety of consumables/expendables in CY-2007, including tools for container inspections, office supplies, uniform items, Meals Ready to Eat (MRE's), and canine supplies. All items were entered into the NAS Inventory Management System, and consumption rates were monitored by the Data Technician and Logistics Coordinator.

The incinerator is located at the new SAIA headquarters and is used for destruction of drugs. The drug warehouse and laboratory facility is undergoing remodeling and has thus rendered the incinerator unserviceable until the construction is completed.

Problems and Corrective Action Plan (CAP)

Vehicle Maintenance Costs
Poor road conditions, mountainous terrain and poorly trained drivers contribute to the high wear and tear of vehicles. Maintenance and replacement parts for vehicles are expensive. Post, with INL approval, began buying US-assembled cars locally to take advantage of the vendor's warranty service, comparable prices and faster delivery.

Fluctuations in Electrical Current
The quality and consistency of the electricity in Guatemala is sub-standard compared to that in the United States. Post regularly replaced or repaired computer and radio communications equipment that is damaged by fluctuations or spikes in the electricity even after being protected by UPS equipment. The purchase of UPS' and electrical regulators helps protect the equipment.

Program Impact
Guatemala is a major transshipment point for South American cocaine and heroin destined for the United States via Mexico. While not a major producing country, poppy cultivation has been on the increase in recent years, and poor quality cannabis is grown for the local market.

The ability of GOG agencies, military, and police to control the narcotics program is limited. Lack of adequate financing, the involvement in the drug trade of many levels of corrupt officials, distrust of the government particularly in rural areas, and the weak institutions have led to an environment that nacotrafficking cartels have found to their advantage. However, there has been promising cooperation on the part of the Oscar Berger administration with UGS-sponsored counternarcotics initiatives.

Document: FY2009 Section 1022(a) Report

Program: Section 1004 Counter-Drug Assistance

NATION: Guatemala PROJECT SUPPORT EFFORT: Operations Center/Barrack. PROJECT CODE: 9493 FUNDING ($K): $665K DESCRIPTION: San Jose Navy Base - Operations Center/Barracks support CN Naval special ops unit PROJECT TASK: Design and construct Operations Center/Barracks NATION: Guatemala PROJECT SUPPORT EFFORT: Operations Center/Barrack. PROJECT CODE: 9493 FUNDING ($K): $754K DESCRIPTION: Poptun Kabil Base - Operations Center/Barrack support CN Operations. PROJECT TASK: Design and construct Operations Center/Barracks.

Document: International Narcotics Control Strategy Report

Program: International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement

U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs USG goals in Guatemala are to build the investigative and operational capacity of Guatemalan law enforcement agencies to effectively disrupt drug trafficking, trans-border crime, and illicit crop production. Corruption is a key focus. USG efforts support successful, professional and trusted units such as the UME, FEN, FIAAT, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), the Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) and the CRADIC. We envision future fully-vetted units that will work at the border posts and seaports, with special attention given to the Attorney General?s Office. The Attorney General?s Office demonstrated remarkable dedication to law enforcement, despite death threats and at least one attempted assassination. Bilateral Cooperation. In many areas, bilateral cooperation is excellent. Guatemala routinely gives permission for USG CN assets to enter its territorial waters and airspace in a timely manner. However, with exception of strong support by the FIAAT for the ASP, the GOG provided few resources to their CN units that work closely with the USG. This lack of resources prevented USG CN units and GOG CN units from reaching the full potential of bilateral cooperation that is needed. The U.S. supported the Guatemalan Government?s efforts to improve interdiction by providing technical assistance and training to its special police units as well as assistance with various border programs. In 2009, the USG (NAS and the Drug Enforcement Administration) assisted the Attorney General?s Office with the implementation of the Special Investigative Methods Unit (UME), in accordance with the Organized Crime Bill. A central part of UME is the application of wire intercepts to enhance the investigative process. Forty-one wire intercepts were conducted over the past year.

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.