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 and Law Enforcement

Program Objectives and Performance Indicators

Enable the Government of Uruguay (GOU) to strengthen its technical and operational ability to interdict narcotics, conduct complex criminal investigations, and arrest traffickers.

• Increased quantity of cocaine seized; increased presence of National Drug Police (DTGRID) in areas where it previously had little or no presence; increased ability to investigate crimes and provide evidence in prosecutions.


Justification

Uruguay is not a major narcotics producing or transit country. However, Uruguay's free trade zones afford relative anonymity for the movement of cargo which makes it attractive transit point for drug traffickers from Colombia, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Mexico. Additionally, limited inspection of airport and sea port cargo makes Uruguay appealing as a transit point for contraband, including chemical precursors, to Paraguay and elsewhere. The counternarcotics police also continue to target clandestine facilities used for processing, refining, and shipping Bolivian cocaine as well as distribution centers for the highly addictive and inexpensive cocaine-based product known as ""pasta base.""

Program Accomplishments

In 2008, the DTRGID seized 819 kilograms of cocaine, detained 2,280 persons and arrested 668. In November 2008, the Uruguayan Congress approved the creation of special courts to prosecute organized crime, which is defined as drug trafficking, money laundering, trafficking in persons and arms, financial crimes, and child prostitution and child pornography. In December 2008, the development of those courts began in earnest with the naming of the two presiding judges; 20 cases have been referred to the courts.

FY 2010 Program

Software and Technical Operations Training

FY 2010 funds will enable the DGRTID to participate in Real-time Analytical Intelligence Database (RAID) training. RAID is a relational database (available in a Spanish language version) used to record key pieces of information and to quickly identify links among people, places, businesses, financial accounts, telephone numbers, and other investigative information examined by investigators. It can be used to analyze information from investigations or as a case management tool. Funding will also support training for DTRGID officers on a software analysis package that will enhance information sharing with compatible software programs used by USG and host nation counterparts. The training will fill a void in the agency's analytical capabilities, and enhance their investigations and ability to collaborate with foreign law enforcement organizations.

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

Program: International Narcotics Control Economic Aid

Program Objectives and Performance Indicators Strengthen GOU rehabilitation and prevention programs to reduce and prevent the consumption of illegal drugs and to assist with the reinsertion of addicts into society. GOU expands and improves education and rehabilitation services for children and adults. FY 2010 Program Demand Reduction FY 2010 support will enable expansion of the GOU's drug abuse awareness programs and build on the achievements of previous years. The program will collect and exchange information on drug use within Uruguay; enhance public awareness and community outreach events and initiatives; conduct instructor and expert training; and provide training materials. The funds will be split between two programs: the Therapeutic Follow-Up Program with the National Anti-drug Secretariat and the University of the Republic, which helps with the reintegration of patients who have completed treatment; and drug use research on precautionary, socio-educational and medical measures at the Juvenile Detention Center.

Document: 2007 End-Use Monitoring Report

Program: International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement

Procedures

Post conducted periodic checks of resources provided though INL funding to the following GOU agencies: the Directorate General for the Repression of Illicit Drug Trafficking (DGRTID), the Coast Guard (Prefectura), the National Drug Secretariat (NDS), the Central Bank of Uruguay (BCU), and the Ministry of Interior (MOI). These agencies provided annual inventory reports that specified the use, status and location of all equipment supplied by INL. The embassy maintained regular contact with GOU officials throughout the year with regard to training opportunities, drug seizures statistics, and equipment status to determine how assets are being employed.

Status

Computer and Communications Equipment

Most of the computers are in good condition. Embassy-provided computers are used by accountants to monitor financial drug-related activities, and by analysts looking for drug-related activities. Computers are also used to network with the Ministry of Public Health in an information-sharing program concerning sale and distribution of potential drug precursors.

Older computers have been restored and sent to some police stations throughout the country to improve communications and data sharing within the police force.

Post purchased 10 computers in 2002 for use in Prefectura's main headquarters and to replace the computers from 2000 that are being distributed to the border areas. The vehicles are still in use within the Prefectura's headquarters in Montevideo. They were distributed to Prefectura stations along Uruguay's main maritime ports of entry. These computers are used primarily to cultivate the information backbone for their central database. A Prefecta employee developed this database after attending embassy sponsored computer training. The embassy provided scanners, digital cameras, external hard drives, modems, and other computer hardware thereby strengthening the quantity and quality of information in its database including more timely and thorough analysis of data and border crossing patterns of potential drug traffickers.

Vehicles

Thirteen vehicles have been donated to DGRTID, including three motorcycles. Through an innovative exchange program with major car dealerships in Uruguay, the vehicles are traded in for new models every two years at virtually no charge. Through this program, seven vehicles have been exchanged, thus maintaining a young, low-maintenance fleet of vehicles.

The Uruguayan Coast Guard (Prefectura) maintains two trucks, one sedan, and two motorcycles provided by INL in 1999. The two motorcycles are in poor shape. There is no funding to exchange them for new ones. Prefectura mechanics are using cannibalized space parts from motorcycles to maintain the other.

Miscellaneous Equipment

In general, DGRTID's other equipment is in good condition. Out-of-date electronic equipment has been replaced with newer models. Inventory reports showed that handcuffs and other police equipment were in need of being repaired.

The Embassy has donated other equipment to assist with investigations, including multi-channel digital logger, drug test kits, cadaver kits, fingerprint kits, six fiber optic borescopes and a metal detector. Most of this equipment is stored in Montevideo, although some equipment is used in Prefectura stations outside the capital area.

Construction Projects

In 2005, post funded the National Drug Secretariat Drug Rehabilitation Clinic, including a telephone clinic, in a northern Montevideo suburb specifically for "pasta base" addicts. The program, known locally as the "portal Amarillo," opened in April 2006. It is staffed by recent graduates of Uruguay's largest nursing school. It services about 200 patients a week.

Canines

The DGRTID and Prefectura's canine programs are operational with dogs in Montevideo and in border offices. Both agencies conducted dog performance controls and training activities on a yearly basis. They breed their own puppies and donate to good homes ones that are no longer useful.

Problems

Accountability of equipment purchased between 10 and 30 years ago is problematic. GOU officials has accommodated Embassy requests for information over the years and Embassy has documented any accountability issues in previous reports. The Embassy encountered no new problems in the course of its monitoring activities during the past year.

Impact

Previous INL funding has made significant impact in the GOU counternarcotics effort, particularly through improved border control and tracking of individuals. Computer equipment provided to the DGRTID and the Prefectura has formed comprehensive information networks that are improving data sharing between Uruguay's ports of entry and Montevideo. Without INL funding and assistance, many anti-narcotics projects would not be possible or would lack depth.

DGRTID records show that 1,923 individuals were arrested in 2007 for drug trafficking activities; 486 were prosecuted. Yearly seizures in the internal markets reached 950.5 kg of marijuana, 658.6 kg of cocaine, and 83.6 kg of cocaine paste.

Document: Oak Hill Returns Home After Southern Partnership Station 2009

Program: Exercises

Oak Hill, based at Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Va., departed June 3 for SPS 2009, a combined multinational naval and amphibious operation with Oak Hill and maritime forces from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay.

Oak Hill also supported the U.S. Marine Corps Forces South (USMARSOUTH) multinational amphibious exercise, Southern Exchange 2009.

During SPS 2009, Oak Hill embarked more than 20 partner nation liaison Sailors and Marines who worked and trained with the crew in daily shipboard operations. Embarked Sailors from the Expeditionary Training Command in Little Creek also shared their expertise in small boat operations; visit, board, search and seizure; and other areas during subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs) with Sailors and Marines in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

Oak Hill Sailors who participated in SMEEs said they learned a lot from training with their Navy counterparts and enjoyed the experience.

Oak Hill also conducted joint maritime security operations with the Uruguayan Navy. Together the navies executed a swept channel mine avoidance exercise and conducted deck landing qualifications (DLQs) with Uruguayan helicopter pilots. The crew also conducted DLQs with Brazilian pilots flying a Brazilian Super Puma helicopter.

Document: Multinational Southern Exchange 2009 Exercise Begins in Brazil

Program: Exercises

The multinational combined exercise is meant to train various countries’ forces together to effectively learn to operate as one force, as well as to bolster overall stability and security throughout the region. The countries participating this year are the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Uruguay.

Afterward, the row of the nations’ flags was raised simultaneously, symbolizing the official start of SE09. Seven countries will work as one over the next three weeks, learning from each other and training together.


During this two-phased exercise, Law of War and Human Rights classes will be taught daily, and training will be taught by various experts from each participating nation. Training will focus on fundamentals that are common amongst all Marine Corps' throughout the Americas: convoy operations, first aid, water survival, amphibious training, martial arts, patrolling, and checkpoint operations in order to enhance each nation’s peacekeeping and humanitarian disaster relief capabilities, should the need arise.


Phase two will culminate with a three-day final peace-keeping exercise in which participants will showcase the lessons learned and seize the opportunity to utilize the mission-focused knowledge and expertise shared amongst each other during the initial phase.

Document: U.S., Partner Nation Marines and Sailors Join for Southern Exchange Exercise in Brazil

Program: Exercises

Brazil’s Marine Corps, or Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais (CFN), will host approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors from the United States, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Uruguay for exercise Southern Exchange 2009 (SE09), July 13-31 at the Divisão Anfibia and the island of Marambaia, Rio de Janeiro.

This year’s exercise is designed as a transparent, multinational exchange that focuses on enhancing proficiency and interoperability between partner nation Marine Corps’ forces.

SE09 helps to strengthen relationships resulting in improved stability and security throughout the region. The concept of operations is structured toward Marine fundamentals and focused on building partner nation capability to execute United Nations’ coalition missions such as Haiti and Congo.

During this two-phased exercise Law of War and Human Rights classes will be taught daily, and training will be taught by various experts representing each participating nation.

Training will focus on fundamentals that are common amongst all Marines throughout the Americas: convoy operations, first aid, water survival, amphibious training, martial arts, patrolling, and checkpoint operations in order to enhance each nation’s peacekeeping and humanitarian disaster relief capabilities.

Phase two will culminate with a three-day final peacekeeping exercise in which participants will showcase the lessons learned and seize the opportunity to utilize the mission-focused knowledge and expertise shared amongst each other during the initial phase.

Lt. Col. Miguel Ameigeiras, the MARFORSOUTH SE09 exercise director, says that he sees multinational combined exercises as the way of the future for U.S. Marine Corps involvement in South America.

Document: FY 2010 Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations

U.S. assistance to Uruguay will focus on modernizing Uruguayan forces. Modernization is essential for continued cooperation with U.S., regional, and European allies in peacekeeping operations and regional surveillance and maritime patrol for law enforcement and the fight against terrorism and illegal trafficking of persons, materials, and drugs. U.S. support will provide training, equipment, and military exchanges in these areas, and focus on positive civilian-military relations. Increased cooperation in areas such as immigration control, customs, counter-narcotics, money laundering, and terrorism finance, will build the Government of Uruguay’s (GOU) perception of the United States as a partner and build Uruguayan capabilities. As the Uruguayan military goes through its defense policy planning process, the training provided will strengthen it as a democratic institution by emphasizing transparency, civilian expert involvement in defense matters, and human rights.

Peace and Security: The United States will promote Uruguay´s interoperability with U.S. and international forces for peacekeeping, counternarcotics, and coalition operations through training and education programs and the provision of equipment. Funding will also support the strengthening of the military as a democratic institution and defense modernization through the provision of professional development training and equipment for mid-to-senior grade officers and government officials.

U.S. assistance will support critically needed modernization and maintenance of U.S.-provided equipment to enable Uruguay to produce and maintain a force capable of supporting U.S. policies and objectives. This equipment will include a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, a Rescue Hoist System Kit, SAR equipment to C130B Engines conversion, turbine engine and airframe overhaul for maritime patrol aircraft, replenishment at sea refueling probe, and a multimedia language laboratory in support of the Peace Keeping Operations national school. It will also update and enhance the Uruguayan Armed Forces' ability to fully participate in Peacekeeping and Coalition Operations, thus alleviating the need for U.S. forces to conduct these operations and freeing them for engagement elsewhere in the world. In order to ensure that weapons acquired through former U.S. assistance programs are not sold to unknown end-users, funds have been requested for the destruction of 14,000 weapons. These weapons, combined with 11,000 that we plan to repatriate, mean a total decommissioning of 25,000 small arms and light weapons.

Uruguay is not a major narcotics producing or transit country. However, as interdiction efforts elsewhere squeeze traffickers, Uruguay’s strategic position and porous land border with Brazil highlight its vulnerability to drug trafficking. There has been an increase in the involvement of foreign trafficking cartels and individuals -- especially from Colombia, Bolivia, and Mexico – in Uruguay. Uruguay also faces increasing local consumption of the highly addictive and inexpensive cocaine-based product known as “pasta base.” The GOU is making great strides to upgrade port security and customs services, and has had increased success both in interdiction and prosecution, but needs training and equipment to keep the narcotics problem in check. Counter-narcotics assistance will include training and equipment to the counternarcotics special police force as well as assistance to demand reduction programs through the National Drug Secretariat.

Uruguay is a crucial partner in peacekeeping operations in the region and around the world. It is essential that Uruguay's military personnel be properly trained and equipped in order to continue their participation in global peacekeeping operations, and regional security exercises. In addition to training, with U.S. assistance, Uruguay will improve its ability to react to life-threatening disasters that could compromise security by making much needed improvements to port and airport facilities. Funding will increase the number of Uruguayan mid-to-senior grade officers and government officials at professional development, peacekeeping 657 and counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics training courses, improving Uruguay’s interoperability with U.S. and international forces in these areas. The increased funding proposed for FY 2010 will allow for an additional 110 personnel to receiving training. In addition to improving internal and international cooperation, it will help improve civil-military relations, rationalize the defense policy planning process to increase its transparency, build civilian expertise in defense matters, and inculcate the principles of human rights in the future generation of military leaders.

Document: U.S., Partner Nation Marines Arrive in Jacksonville for UNITAS Gold, POA

Program: Exercises

During the two-week combined exercise, U.S. Marines deployed as Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 24 (SPMAGTF 24), will train with partner nation marines from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and soldiers from the Royal Canadian Army. In all more than 25 ships, 50 rotary and fixed wing aircraft, 650 Marines, 6,500 Sailors and four submarines will participate in the exercise.

Comprised of Marines from the II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 (HMM-764), 4th Marine Logistics Group and the 24th Marine Regiment, headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., the SPMAGTF 24, commanded by Col. Jay Huston, will conduct an amphibious assault as part of the ground training in support of this year’s 50th iteration of UNITAS.

POA is an annual U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South multinational, company-level combined and joint exercise that focuses on enhancing interoperability between U.S. Marines and partner-nation marines in the areas of amphibious operations, non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO), peacekeeping and disaster relief.

The combined exercise will provide exercise participants the opportunity to train in a realistic training environment on both land and sea, and will address a variety of mission areas; featuring live-fire exercises, undersea warfare, shipboard operations, maritime interdiction operations, air defense and surface warfare, amphibious operations, electronic warfare, and special warfare. Successful training of POA 09 and UNITAS Gold participants will enable them to return to their respective nations to further train their nation’s security forces by sharing the lessons learned from this experience.

Document: International Narcotics Control Strategy Report

The GOU needs to increase its programs for informing the public about the dangers of drug abuse, and enhancing the expertise of its law enforcement community in combating drug trafficking. Some initial steps have been taken via the establishment of a bilateral GOU-USG working group to enhance cooperation and develop effective partnerships. Embassy-based USG agencies are focused on a range of needs, including demand reduction programs and coordination of training programs for GOU officials, and DEA and DHS officials resident in Buenos Aires provide guidance and technical assistance to GOU counterparts in areas such as port security. The USG would like to see Uruguay expand this concept by improving collaboration with other USG agencies not based permanently in Uruguay. We also encourage the GOU to use its increased capabilities in police intelligence to better target investigations against foreign trafficking cartels, and should utilize its newly-acquired non-intrusive inspectional equipment at the port of Montevideo for increasing interdiction operations and drug seizures.

Document: International Narcotics Control Strategy Report

Program: International Military Education and Training

Bilateral Cooperation. U.S. strategy has been to prevent Uruguay from becoming a major narcotics transit or processing country. USG assistance to the GOU in 2008 included support to demand reduction programs; support for narcotics interdiction operations, including provision of equipment; and assistance with police training. The increase of International Military Education and Training (IMET) funds in FY 2008 permitted the USG to provide maritime law enforcement leadership, port security, and border security training to the Uruguayan Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines. IMET in 2008 also included a legal seminar on border security and a river patrol operations course. Assistance in the effective use of radar systems is also being provided through the State Partners program.