Excerpts From Official Descriptions of Aid to Guatemala

• The U.S. Department of State 2008 2008 End-Use Monitoring Report reports that International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement aid to Guatemala will do the following:
  "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."
• The Department of Defense 2009 FY2009 Section 1022(a) Report contains this description of Section 1004 Counter-Drug Assistance aid to Guatemala:
  "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."
• The Department of State 2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report contains this description of International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement aid to Guatemala:
  "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."
• According to the U.S. Department of State 2010 Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Program and Budget Guide, Fiscal Year 2010, International Narcotics Control Economic Aid will fund the following activities in Guatemala:
  "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."
• The U.S. Department of State 2010 Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Program and Budget Guide, Fiscal Year 2010 reports that International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement aid to Guatemala will do the following:
  "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.
  Program Justification Guatemala is a major drug transit country for drugs flowing from South America to the United States. The USG estimates indicate that 90 percent of drugs reaching the United States are shipped through the Central America and Mexico to the United States. There is increasing land transit through Central America. Guatemala has large areas in the north and along the Mexican border that it does not adequately control. Within the past six months, there have been notable incursions by Mexican cartels, especially the Zeta wing of the Gulf Cartel, leading to increased trafficking and violence as they stake out territory and clash with established Sinaloa Cartel and local traffickers. Widespread poverty and economic inequality complicate the fight against drug transshipment, alien smuggling and other transnational crimes, and the concomitant corruption. Transnational youth gangs are a large component of the public security crisis that dominates public concern. Gang crime affects the region and the United States. President Colom vowed to reduce poverty and crime, and has taken a public stand against corruption, including dismissal of top security personnel. However the impact on seizures and crime is yet to be seen. Youth gangs continue to spread beyond the capital to regional cities and rural areas, bringing extortion, crime and violence. There has been a resurgence of opium poppy cultivation in small plots in remote areas which the GOG eradicates regularly. GOG narcotics control police carry out manual eradication, interdiction, port control operations, narcotics investigations, and road interdiction and inspection functions. INL funds help support all of these activities. Program Accomplishments The GOG has replaced both high-level leadership and lower-level police in an attempt to stem corruption, which has been a pervasive problem in justice sector institutions. The GOG established a special joint task force to focus on anti-drug, law enforcement and counterterrorism operations. Guatemalan authorities eradicated record amounts of opium poppy (534 hectares) in western Guatemala in 2008; and seized 3.3 metric tons (MT) of cocaine. The Colom administration achieved some success in reforming the legal framework for attacking drug trafficking and use and violent crime, including establishing a drug incineration protocol with close technical support of the U.S. Embassy?s Narcotics Affairs Section?s Prosecutors program. In 2008, the Guatemalan Congress also passed an improved extradition law, which includes extradition of Guatemalan nationals. In conjunction with a USG-provided air support program that delivered four helicopters to Guatemala in 2008, the GOG established ?Joint Task Force Fuentes,? known as the ?FIAAT,? a fully vetted, independent unit that will improve law enforcement response capability. The new force will also give the GOG central government a new, strategic ability to establish rule of law in areas where corruption or lack of resources has called into question the local government's ability to effectively enforce the law. The FIAAT has also been integrated into the international and interagency Central Skies operation. The GOG also recently delegated more inspection authorities to the ports police (DIPA). DIPA seized over $4.5 million in suspected narcotics proceeds, for a total of over $6 million in cash seizures. DIPA seized 1.2 MT of cocaine and at least seven shipments of pseudoephedrine. The GOG Customs Service was also instrumental in stopping the entry of methamphetamine through careful checking of the registry of importing companies, many of which were not licit importers. The Model Precinct Program has achieved reduction in gang crime and violence in Villa Nueva, and is scheduled for replication in another area near the capital and in Honduras. The associated tip line for citizens in fear of retaliation has been expanded to another area of Guatemala City and to the Peten, and authorities have used tips to successfully solve a number of crimes. FY 2010 Program Counternarcotics The program provides training and equipment to enhance existing GOG capability and provides operational support for ongoing GOG interdiction and eradication operations. Equipment includes computers, software, intercept equipment, inspection tools, and non- lethal tactical equipment. GOG reconnaissance and eradication missions receive logistical support, including vehicle fuel, supplies, and transport. FY 2010 funds will support GOG efforts to recruit and vet new SAIA (anti drug police) by providing polygraph examiners and investigative training, and training that incorporates an anticorruption component. INL provides equipment and logistical support for SAIA law enforcement and interdiction operations and also supports the airborne task force (FIATT). Interdiction training at the Regional Anti-Narcotics Training Center at Los Pinos offers at least 13 courses annually, plus one or more regional courses in drug detection canine handling. The canine unit will require approximately three dogs in 2010 to replace ageing dogs. INL is helping the GOG establish a Pacific interdiction center, which will require office equipment, radios and transmitters. INL will also continue to support and collaborate with GOG port security initiatives in Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Santo Tomas de Castilla, and La Aurora International Airport, primarily in the form of training, advice and technical assistance. USG support will primarily be in the form of cooperative training, technical assistance, equipment and vehicles. INL will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health, Guatemalan Customs, and Public Ministry to continue detecting illegal importation and diversion of precursor chemicals (primarily for methamphetamine production). This is a growing problem in the region. Organized/Gang-Related Crime The Police Training/Anti-Gang Model Precinct in Villa Nueva is the centerpiece of the police training program. Technical assistance and training is provided to the program, which will have been replicated in at least one additional area (Mixco) by 2010. Expansion of this successful program will include provision of office, computer, investigative and protective equipment, and motorbikes. Extensive training in investigations (cross trained with prosecutors), prevention and community policing will also be provided. FY 2010 funds will also support provision of additional IBIS (Ballistics Analysis) equipment and licenses and training for the ?I-2? relational database; and for maintenance and upgrades for equipment, computer hardware and software and training for the ?CRADIC? criminal information computer system. ?CRADIC? provides the necessary information to improve patrol coverage, improve the quality of investigations, and provides more reliable statistical data for deployment of police personnel and strategic planning. ?CRADIC? is also the platform from which information will be disseminated nationally and internationally and is the key to coordinating the investigation of transnational crimes."
• The U.S. Southern Command 2009 PANAMAX: Teamwork against terrorism says this about Exercises aid to Guatemala:
  "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."
• The U.S. Southern Command 2009 U.S. Army Leads Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise in Guatemala says this about Exercises aid to Guatemala:
  "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"
• The U.S. Department of State 2010 FY 2010 Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations says this about aid to Guatemala:
  "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."
• The U.S Department of State 2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report says this about aid to Guatemala:
  "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."
• According to the U.S Department of State 2008 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, the U.S. government will fund the following activities in Guatemala:
  "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."
• The U.S. Department of Defense 2007 Section 1209 Report to Congress on Foreign-Assitance Related Programs Carried out by the Department of Defense says this about Humanitarian and Civic Assistance aid to Guatemala:
  "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."
• The U.S Department of State 2008 FY 2008 Supplemental Appropriations Spending Plan says this about International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement aid to Guatemala:
  "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."
• The U.S Department of State 2008 FY 2008 Supplemental Appropriations Spending Plan contains this description of Economic Support Fund aid to Guatemala:
  "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."
• The U.S. Southern Command 2008 IAAFA comes to JTF-Bravo, first time in 19 years classes held in C.A. reports that aid to Guatemala will do the following:
  "For the first time in 19 years, Inter-American Air Forces Academy instructors provided Air Force professional military education on Central American soil.
  
  The IAAFA staff set up shop here and began instructing the Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy PME curriculum to 24 NCOs from 10 Latin American nations' air forces.
  
  Airmen from Chile, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay attended the academy.
  
  Joint Task Force-Bravo is hosting IAAFA by providing the infrastructure needed to provide support for the staff and students.
  
  The two instructors and one administrator from Lackland provided the students with professional military education curriculum mirroring the Air Force NCO Academy and Squadron Officer School courses."
• According to the U.S. Southern Command 2008 AFSOUTH, AFNORTH host Central American Air Chiefs Conference, the U.S. government will fund the following activities in Guatemala:
  "Lt. Gen. Norman Seip, the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander, and Maj. Gen. Henry Morrow, the 1st Air Force (Air Forces North) commander, hosted a Central American Air Chiefs Conference here Friday for six air chiefs from Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.
  
  The conference allowed the air chiefs to participate in round-table discussions about issues, threats and cooperation efforts of multi-national concern to Caribbean and Central American Air Forces, as well as Air Forces Southern.
  
  "This conference is a key element in Air Forces Southern´s engagement efforts throughout the region," said General Seip. "This event is an opportunity to connect directly with Central American Air Chiefs while discussing issues affecting our air forces in this region of [U.S. Southern Command´s] Area of responsibility."
  
  During the conference, the air chiefs were briefed on a wide range of topics, including future AFSOUTH missions in Latin America, humanitarian support, medical missions and construction projects. The group also discussed other efforts to strengthen relationships between attendees, such as a Subject Matter Exchange program. The exchange would involve eight to 10 foreign-military experts sharing information on mutually agreed topics such as flight safety, personnel, intelligence, operations, logistics, information processing, plus others."
• The U.S. Southern Command 2008 USS Boxer Concludes Latin-American Humanitarian Mission says this about Humanitarian and Civic Assistance aid to Guatemala:
  "USS Boxer returned to port yesterday after a two-month humanitarian and civic assistance mission to Latin America.
  
  During the deployment, Boxer visited Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru as part of the Pacific phase of Continuing Promise 2008.
  
  On April 28, the Boxer crew left San Diego accompanied by medical professionals from 25 different commands from around the world. In addition to the augmented medical team, personnel from the U.S. Public Health Service and the nongovernmental organization Project Hope accompanied the crew on the two-month humanitarian mission.
  
  Also accompanying the Boxer crew were 60 Seabees from Navy Seabee Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303, who performed a variety of construction projects in the three countries. Their work included plumbing and electrical work, as well as roof repairs and upgrades.
  
  The medical professionals aboard Boxer saw more than 14,000 patients, completed 127 surgeries, dispensed 40,000 medications and saw nearly 4,000 optometry patients, distributing about 3,500 pairs of eyeglasses. They also completed 14,000 dental procedures and 66 repairs to biomedical equipment in the various clinics and hospitals where they worked, the captain said.
  
  A veterinarian team saw about 2,900 animals, he added.
  
  The Boxer crew also provided valuable training, such as CPR, nutrition, basic sanitation techniques, and first aid to 18,000 students in 123 classes, and took time to educate patients standing in line for medical treatment."
• The U.S. Southern Command 2008 U.S. Public Health Service Changes Crews on Boxer During CP Mission says this about Humanitarian and Civic Assistance aid to Guatemala:
  "U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) doctors and medical service providers have spent the last month working alongside partner-nation medical professionals in both Guatemala and El Salvador, providing basic medical care, education and services to the nations´ local population. USPHS brought along many different specialties to the Continuing Promise mission including doctors, dentists, optometrists, educators and other specialties."
• The U.S. Southern Command 2008 Boxer Ends Work in Guatemala, Extends Maritime Strategy to El Salvador reports that Humanitarian and Civic Assistance aid to Guatemala will do the following:
  "During Boxer’s 11-day stop in Guatemala, the ship’s embarked NGOs and military units provided medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care along with construction, renovation and small-scale civil engineering projects with help from Guatemalan counterparts.
  
  Medical specialists from Boxer, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 5, the U.S. Public Health Service and Project Hope joined forces to conduct 5,272 dental exams and procedures, 1,295 optometry exams, 45 surgeries aboard Boxer, provide 7,540 patients medical care and filled 8,289 prescriptions at several sites in the area. In addition to treatment, teams also conducted classes on hygiene, safe preparation of food and water, child development and infant CPR.
  
  Seabees assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 303 and Navy Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 completed projects at six sites including three schools, a church and two main-road repairs. The work included roof replacement, constructing new classrooms, replacing doors and windows, painting and landscaping."
• According to the U.S. Southern Command 2008 Boxer Sailors Give Back to Guatemalan School and Church, Humanitarian and Civic Assistance will fund the following activities in Guatemala:
  "Sailors and Marines embarked aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) helped add finishing touches on repair projects at El Higueral’s school house and San Fransisco Blanco de Asis’s church, May 13, as part of the Pacific phase of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.
  
  The service members all volunteered to lend a hand in landscaping, painting, and helping the Navy Seabee Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 303 Seabees put the finishing touches on various repair projects across Guatemala.
  
  At El Higueral’s school the Sailors and Marines cleaned the schoolyard, removed debris and helped the Seabees remove old roofs.
  
  At San Fransisco Blanco de Asis’s church, Sailors and Marines painted the interior and exterior of the church, which now has a new roof thanks to the work of the Seabees."
• The U.S. Southern Command 2008 Continuing Promise Seabees Wrap Up Work in Guatemala contains this description of Humanitarian and Civic Assistance aid to Guatemala:
  "Seabees with Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 303 and Navy Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, embarked aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4), completed renovation and repair operations throughout Guatemala, May 15, as part of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.
  
  Over a period of eight days, the Seabees completed work across six sites in three schools, one church and two main road repairs. The work included roof demolition and replacement, constructing new school houses, replacing doors and windows, in addition to painting and landscaping repairs.
  
  Throughout the entire operation, the Seabees were working side-by-side with Guatemalan military civil engineers who provided their own experience and skills to the work at hand.
  
  In addition to structural and cosmetic repair to the locations, the partner-nation engineers and Seabees worked together to repair the infrastructure facilities such as plumbing. Before the work began, the school house at Aldea Linares had plumbing that would frequently mix drinking water with sewage. The Seabee and partner-nation engineering teams fully replaced Aldea Linares’ plumbing, offering the children and faculty clean and fresh drinking water."
• According to the U.S. Southern Command 2008 Continuing Promise Offers Surgeries Aboard Boxer, Humanitarian and Civic Assistance will fund the following activities in Guatemala:
  "As of May 15, civilian and military medical professionals embarked aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) performed nearly 40 surgeries on Guatemalan patients brought aboard ship as part of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.
  
  Wasp-class amphibious assault ships like Boxer are uniquely capable of providing the kind of health services required for a mission like CP. The ship’s afloat-medical capabilities are second only to dedicated hospital ships and are fully capable of a wide variety of modern surgical procedures in Boxer’s four operating rooms.
  
  Embarked surgeons from Fleet Surgical Team Five (FST 5) and Project Hope have performed operations ranging from gallbladder and cyst removals to hernia repairs and cataract surgeries.
  
  Potential surgery patients were prescreened by the Guatemalan Ministry of Health and a pre-deployment site survey team of surgeons prior to Boxer’s arrival in Guatemala, which informed the ship of which types of surgeries to prepare for."
• The U.S. Southern Command 2008 Continuing Promise Brings Hope to Children says this about Humanitarian and Civic Assistance aid to Guatemala:
  "American and Guatemalan health care professionals provided medical and dental care to hundreds of children in the remote village of Escuela las Pampas May 13 during a U.S. military-led humanitarian mission.
  
  USS Boxer (LHD 4) medical personnel, embarked medical personnel, United States Public Health Service (USPHS), Military Health Service of the Army of Guatemala and members of various Non-Government Organizations provided the health care during the Pacific phase of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.
  
  The medical staff arrived to the remote location via two United States Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters which landed in a field used by livestock for grazing. The medical team then walked roughly a quarter-mile to the school to set up tents and prepare triages and examination rooms. Approximately 600 children from the school were waiting to receive medical care, with an additional 500 children from the surrounding rural areas outside the gate.
  
  Along with de-worming, the medical team treated common ailments such as stomach discomfort as well as muscle and joint pain. Several of the children also were treated for broken bones and sprains.
  
  In addition to medical care, Boxer’s dental department was on hand to provide cleanings, extractions and restorative procedures and fillings."
• The U.S. Southern Command 2008 ," says this about Humanitarian and Civic Assistance aid to Guatemala:
  "Members of USS Boxer’s (LHD 4) medical staff and embarked units traveled to Aldea El Higueral, May 11 and 12, to provide the community with health services as part of the equal partnership mission Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.
  
  CP is a Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA) mission teaming American and Guatemalan health care providers and relief capabilities to demonstrate the cooperative partnership among allies.
  
  El Higueral is a small community that consists of 40 families, including many whom have not received medical services in more than ten years. They came to the health services site with a wide array of injuries and illnesses and were met by the medical staff comprised of Boxer medical staff, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 5 and the United States Public Health Services (USPHS).
  
  The site consisted of stations where patients were diagnosed and either treated by a physician or prescribed the proper medication at the site’s pharmacy. There was also a room where the villagers could have a routine dental cleaning or tooth extraction, while a nearby room gave out glasses and held screenings for possible eye surgery.
  
  The community surrounding Aldea El Higueral’s school consists of 450 residents, most living with issues ranging from chronic pains to wounds requiring acute surgeries"
• According to the U.S. Southern Command 2008 HHS Commissioned Corps Officers Join Operation Continuing Promise, Humanitarian and Civic Assistance will fund the following activities in Guatemala:
  "Commissioned officers of the U.S. Public Health Service within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are participating in the mission of the USS Boxer to the west coast of Central America.
  
  The deployment of the Boxer, called Operation Continuing Promise, started in the Republic of Guatemala, where HHS health-care professionals joined their colleagues from the U.S. Department of Defense and non-governmental organizations, including Project Hope, to attend to the communities around the municipality of Escuintla.
  
  In Escuintla, the Boxer team has turned the Escuela Santa Isabel into a primary-care facility. Hundreds of patients have stood in line for care, some having traveled over four hours by foot. The Boxer team set up a dental clinic, an optometry clinic, a primary-care center and an educational area, all of which featured HHS officers. Including dental and optometry, the clinic is seeing approximately 600 patients a day. The most-common medical conditions include upper respiratory infections and chronic diseases.
  
  The number of prescriptions filled at the pharmacy set up by the Boxer team went from approximately 500 the first two days in Escuintla to over 1000 per day the next two days. The number of pairs of eyeglasses distributed by the optometrists has concurrently increased, from 50 to 100, while referrals of cataract patients to the Boxer´s on-board surgery team have remained constant at approximately three to five per day.
  
  HHS dental professionals applied fluoride varnish to approximately 150 patients, as well as applied sealants and performed prophylaxis, restorations and extractions.
  
  The Boxer´s environmental-health team conducted 12 different assessments around Escuintla. They visited a community well, two different dumps, as well as an industrial-waste dump at the mouth of a local river.
  
  The Boxer veterinary team returned to the same dairy farms through the period, and provided services to 238 cattle, most of which included deworming and vaccinations. They also saw some stunted calves, and were able to give Vitamin A and selenium to them. At the farms, the team provided safety and sanitation information to the farmers, as well as to animal technicians and veterinary students.
  
  The Boxer´s education team taught 80 midwifes basic cardio-pulmonary rescussitation, and conducted classes on hand-washing, universal precautions and neonatal resuscitation. They also taught dental health for approximately 300 people."
• According to the U.S. Southern Command 2008 HHS Commissioned Corps Officers Join Operation Continuing Promise, Humanitarian and Civic Assistance will fund the following activities in Guatemala:
  "Commissioned officers of the U.S. Public Health Service within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are participating in the mission of the USS Boxer to the west coast of Central America.
  
  The deployment of the Boxer, called Operation Continuing Promise, started in the Republic of Guatemala, where HHS health-care professionals joined their colleagues from the U.S. Department of Defense and non-governmental organizations, including Project Hope, to attend to the communities around the municipality of Escuintla.
  
  In Escuintla, the Boxer team has turned the Escuela Santa Isabel into a primary-care facility. Hundreds of patients have stood in line for care, some having traveled over four hours by foot. The Boxer team set up a dental clinic, an optometry clinic, a primary-care center and an educational area, all of which featured HHS officers. Including dental and optometry, the clinic is seeing approximately 600 patients a day. The most-common medical conditions include upper respiratory infections and chronic diseases.
  
  The number of prescriptions filled at the pharmacy set up by the Boxer team went from approximately 500 the first two days in Escuintla to over 1000 per day the next two days. The number of pairs of eyeglasses distributed by the optometrists has concurrently increased, from 50 to 100, while referrals of cataract patients to the Boxer´s on-board surgery team have remained constant at approximately three to five per day.
  
  HHS dental professionals applied fluoride varnish to approximately 150 patients, as well as applied sealants and performed prophylaxis, restorations and extractions.
  
  The Boxer´s environmental-health team conducted 12 different assessments around Escuintla. They visited a community well, two different dumps, as well as an industrial-waste dump at the mouth of a local river.
  
  The Boxer veterinary team returned to the same dairy farms through the period, and provided services to 238 cattle, most of which included deworming and vaccinations. They also saw some stunted calves, and were able to give Vitamin A and selenium to them. At the farms, the team provided safety and sanitation information to the farmers, as well as to animal technicians and veterinary students.
  
  The Boxer´s education team taught 80 midwifes basic cardio-pulmonary rescussitation, and conducted classes on hand-washing, universal precautions and neonatal resuscitation. They also taught dental health for approximately 300 people."
• The U.S. Southern Command 2008 Continuing Promise Seabees Save Guatemalan Church reports that Humanitarian and Civic Assistance aid to Guatemala will do the following:
  "Seabees assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 303, embarked aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4), began renovations and restoration, May 9, to the Guatemala’s San Francisco de Asis church as part of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.
  
  The CP deployment to the region builds on and encourages the establishment of new partnerships between and among nations, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and international organizations to demonstrate the lasting bonds and shared interests among neighbors.
  
  The Guatemalan military’s company of engineers, el Cuerpo De Engenieros Del Ejercito, is working alongside the Seabees each day, sharing construction knowledge and learning from each other. The four-day project includes rebuilding the roof, rewiring the circuitry and other structural repairs."
• The U.S. Southern Command 2008 Continuing Promise Seabees Save Guatemalan Church contains this description of Humanitarian and Civic Assistance aid to Guatemala:
  "Seabees assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 303, embarked aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4), began renovations and restoration, May 9, to the Guatemala’s San Francisco de Asis church as part of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.
  
  The CP deployment to the region builds on and encourages the establishment of new partnerships between and among nations, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and international organizations to demonstrate the lasting bonds and shared interests among neighbors.
  
  The Guatemalan military’s company of engineers, el Cuerpo De Engenieros Del Ejercito, is working alongside the Seabees each day, sharing construction knowledge and learning from each other. The four-day project includes rebuilding the roof, rewiring the circuitry and other structural repairs."
• The U.S. Southern Command 2008 Boxer, Seabees Begin Work on Second Guatemalan School contains this description of Humanitarian and Civic Assistance aid to Guatemala:
  "Seabees from Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 303 and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, embarked aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4), began construction and repair work to the Aldea Higueral school house, May 9, as part of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.
  
  The CP deployment is an equal partnership mission that encourages the establishment of new bonds of friendship between and among nations. The mission enables American and partner-nations to share ideas to provide effective infrastructure solutions to an array of challenges in order to demonstrate the lasting bonds and shared interests among neighbors.
  
  The two Seabee units worked hand-in-hand with the Corps of Engineers for the Guatemalan Army to complete several construction and repair projects to the school including installing new doors and windows, repairing the roof, adding screening to help alleviate irritation from insects and constructing desks and chairs for the students.
  
  Embarked units and organizations aboard Boxer for CP include Amphibious Squadron 5, Fleet Surgical Team 5, U.S. Public Health Service, Project Hope, Project Handclasp, Navy Seabee Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5, Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764, Tactical Air Control Squadron 11, Special Marine Air Ground Task Force 24, Helicopter Sea Combat Support Squadron 23, Assault Craft Unit 1 and Beach Master Unit 1."
• The U.S. Southern Command 2008 Docs on USS Boxer Ready to Provide Surgical Services to Guatemalans says this about Humanitarian and Civic Assistance aid to Guatemala:
  "Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 5, embarked aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4), is completing preparations for shipboard surgeries for the partnership mission Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.
  
  CP is a humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) mission enabling both U.S. and partner-nation medical staffs to collectively address regional medical concerns and develop effective, economical solutions that can be used throughout the region.
  
  Boxer serves as an enabling platform through which military and non-governmental organizations can coordinate and carry out humanitarian efforts. The same flexibility and configuration that makes Boxer an effective warship also make it an extraordinarily effective ship for performing humanitarian assistance missions. Boxer, unlike most U.S. Navy ships, has a very robust on-board medical capability to include four fully-functional operating rooms.
  
  FST 5, along with their partner-nation colleagues, expects to perform 10-12 surgeries per day aboard Boxer, while also providing medical treatment, bio-medical repair, medical education, and veterinary assistance to various locations ashore.
  
  "This mission is an excellent relationship building endeavor with the partner nations," said Capt. (Dr.) Louis Orosz, medical contingent commander for CP 2008. "It is also a great opportunity to work with their medical professionals to help improve their health care infrastructure as well as learn from them."
  
  ...
  
  Boxer´s mission exemplifies the U.S. maritime strategy which emphasizes deploying forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests.
  
  ...
  
  Embarked units and organizations aboard Boxer for CP include Amphibious Squadron 5, Fleet Surgical Team 5, Navy Seabee Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303, Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764, Tactical Air Control Squadron 11, Special Marine Air Ground Task Force 24, Helicopter Sea Combat Support Squadron 23, Assault Craft Unit 1, Beach Master Unit 1, U.S. Public Health Service, Project Handclasp, Project Hope and other military, government and non-governmental organizations."
• The U.S. Southern Command 2008 Boxer Deploys to Latin America for Continuing Promise 2008 says this about Humanitarian and Civic Assistance aid to Guatemala:
  "USS Boxer (LHD 4) along with various embarked units and non-governmental organizations (NGO) departed Naval Base San Diego April 28 in route to Latin America nations for the Pacific Phase of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.
  
  CP is an equal partnership mission designed to combine partner nation and U.S. relief capabilities to demonstrate the lasting bonds and shared interests among neighbors.
  
  Specific locations for the ship’s relief operations include Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru. The deployment is scheduled to last through June.
  
  The Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA) mission provides partner nations in the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of focus a mobile, flexible and rapidly responsive medical and engineering capability for a number of missions and training opportunities in Central and South America. This is Boxer’s first deployment since returning from the Western Pacific in May of 2007.
  
  The Pacific Phase of CP is one of two HCA deployments planned for the USSOUTHCOM area of focus for 2008. The second CP deployment will be conducted by USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) in the Caribbean. The deployments are modeled in part on last year’s USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) deployment to the region that delivered substantial medical and dental support to a large number of people in remote locations. Boxer’s deployment is planned with a more robust capability for engineering operations ashore.
  
  Wasp-class amphibious assault ships like Boxer are designed with a variety of expeditionary mission capabilities, including rapid, projected humanitarian assistance worldwide. It also has the physical capacity to transport large amounts of medical and engineering supplies and equipment to most locations around the globe.
  
  Boxer’s CP deployment has been coordinated through Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5 with partner nations in the region and planned hand-in-hand with a variety of governmental and NGOs to creatively address the level and scope of care that will be needed to support regional medical needs. A key objective of this deployment is to address regional health service support requirements and promote clinical information sharing across the region.
  
  “We are partnering with our neighbors to provide construction capabilities ashore, basic primary health care, dentistry, environmental health care, optometry, biomedical repair, training and even veterinary care,” said Commander of PHIBRON 5, Commodore Peter K. Dallman. “We are also planning to provide a limited number of surgeries on board the ship which is a unique capability that Boxer brings.”
  
  The embarked Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 5, will work with Latin American medical teams and NGOs in treatment, training and infrastructure support across the host countries.
  
  Navy Seabee Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 303 will support Boxer and FST 5’s medical mission by bringing robust construction capabilities, civic action repairs and minor construction projects to nations in the region.
  
  “The variety of training and capabilities Continuing Promise will take into the region clearly demonstrates our nation’s commitment to fostering cooperative partnerships,” said Dallman. “This is a diverse mission that demands a diverse ship and crew. The same flexibility that makes Boxer an effective warship also makes it an extraordinarily effective platform for performing humanitarian assistance missions.”
  
  “America is a country interested in freedom – our own personal freedom and everyone else’s freedom,” added McCloskey. “We’re a country that’s willing to reach out and help with no strings attached. I want to thank these nations for partnering with us.”
  
  Embarked units and organizations aboard Boxer for CP include PHIBRON 5, FST 5, CBMU 303, HM 14, HMM 764, TACRON 11, Helicopter Sea Combat Support Squadron 23, Assault Craft Unit 1, Beach Master Unit 1 and other military, government and NGOs."
• According to the U.S. Southern Command 2008 Preview of 2008 partner nation engagements, Humanitarian and Civic Assistance will fund the following activities in Guatemala:
  "BEYOND THE HORIZON / NEW HORIZONS: From March through September, U.S. military personal specializing in engineering, construction and health care will deploy to four nations in the region to conduct comprehensive humanitarian assistance exercises. As part of the command’s Beyond the Horizon, troops will deploy to Honduras, Trinidad & Tobago and Suriname to provide much needed services to communities in need while receiving valuable, real world training and building important relationships with local officials. Some of the services troops will provide include building schools, clinics, community centers, water wells, and other quality of life enhancement facilities. Medical troops will also provide general and specialized health services to citizens requiring care. Also, the exercises will include Small Unit Familiarization Program engagements, reciprocal platoon exchanges, Subject Matter Expertise Exchanges and state partnership activities. At the same time, U.S. military teams will conduct Beyond the Horizon support in Belize, Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Panama, setting the stage for future humanitarian exercise deployments next year. For exercise New Horizons, troops will deploy to Peru and provide the same humanitarian services for citizens there.
  
  CONTINUING PROMISE:A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier launches from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) during flight operations in the Mediterranean Sea.
  
  This multi-month training mission includes separate deployments of two large deck amphibious ships, USS Boxer (LHD 4) and USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), to the region this summer. The deployments will continue last year’s successful humanitarian mission of the hospital ship USNS Comfort. The ships will visit nine nations where embarked teams of joint military, interagency and non-governmental groups specializing in health care and engineering will provide a range of medical services, infrastructure improvements and humanitarian aid to citizens in need. Like the Beyond the Horizons events, Continuing Promise provides valuable training to U.S. forces while at the same time providing much-needed help to thousands of people in the region."
• The Department of State 2008 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report contains this description of aid to Guatemala:
  "Policy Initiatives. U.S. policy is to strengthen the law enforcement and judicial sectors’ capacity to combat organized crime and drug trafficking through four programs. The Narcotics and Law Enforcement Project supports the GOG’s counternarcotics institutions and focuses on enhancing the investigative and operational capacity of the Guatemalan law enforcement through training, technical assistance and equipment, including anti-corruption measures.
  
  Bilateral Cooperation. The Narcotics Prosecutor Assistance Project enhances the capacity of the Public Ministry’s special prosecutors unit to win convictions against narcotics, money laundering and corruption crimes through improved case development and processing, as well as improving the GOG’s capacity to effectively and transparently prosecute criminals while respecting internationally recognized human rights.
  
  The Demand Reduction and Public Awareness Project supports the Executive Secretariat for the Commission Against Addiction and Drug Trafficking’s (SECCATID) efforts to address the threat that growing drug abuse poses through equipment and technical assistance.
  
  The Law Enforcement Development Project develops PNC’s capability to implement effective community-level policing for effective and efficient investigations and patrolling, increase effectiveness of the Internal Inspection Unit and the Office of Professional Responsibility, and supports its implementation of an effective intelligence/analysis unit (CRADIC).
  
  The Road Ahead. The U.S. has urged the GOG to take urgent steps to impede the flow of cocaine through its territory and to increase the capacity of the Public Ministry’s special prosecutors unit to win convictions in narcotics, money laundering and corruption crimes. The U.S. will support GOG efforts to implement effective procedures to use and share seized assets and enhance controls over precursor chemicals, and will provide training in building complex cases against organized crime and gangs and provide assistance to the Internal Inspection/Office of Professional Responsibility and internal audits and investigations to help decrease corruption.
  
  Anti-narcotics forces will have two new tools in 2008. These include an Automated Fingerprint Identification System that will more effectively solve cases, identify gang members, and provide appropriate information to neighboring countries regarding the identification of transnational criminals. The USG will also provide four Huey II helicopters, training for pilots and maintenance crews, Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and logistical support training to provide the GOG with the capacity to launch missions in support of counternarcotics operations."
• The Department of State 2009 Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations says this about aid to Guatemala:
  "U.S. assistance, provided by the Department of State, will focus on defeating narco-trafficking, organized crime, money laundering, alien smuggling, and transnational gangs. Assistance also will provide training to modernize Guatemala's armed forces and enhance the capability of its Air Force and Navy to interdict drugs and undocumented migrants in transit to the U.S. Further, assistance programs will enhance public confidence in law enforcement, build Government of Guatemala capacity, mitigate crime, and address violence and security issues."