Guatemala’s recently installed president, Otto Perez Molina, who was elected on a platform to tackle the issue of the nation’s security, made a radical proposal this past weekend at a Central American Drug Summit, to decriminalize the consumption of drugs now deemed illicit, and also to decriminalize and regulate the transshipment of such drugs.
When Perez Molina called the regional summit earlier this month, he had indicated that it was to discuss the advances on the regional security strategy and to make new proposals on “alternative mechanisms in the fight against drugs…”
The region was surprised to hear the details, and Mexico has already expressed that it does not support Perez Molina’s proposals for decriminalization.
Belize’s Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred Elrington, who led a delegation to the meeting along with Belize’s Natural Security Minister John Saldivar, has indicated that such discussions could not progress without the US, which he describes as the world superpower, at the table.
Already, key United States officials in the region have firmly indicated that they disagree with the proposal.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, William Brownfield, visited Guatemala Tuesday, March 27, to discuss anti-drug trafficking initiatives with Perez Molina. He signaled that although the US accepts that every nation has a sovereign right to do what it believes needs to be done, the US is not in agreement with the proposed strategy. Brownfield, furthermore, pledged the US’s continued support to the region, which normally comes under the Central American Regional Security Initiative (CARSI).
The drug decriminalization proposal was tabled at the drug summit this past Saturday in Antigua, Guatemala, where Perez Molina had convened the Central American meeting to look at the regional drug strategy, formulated through the Central American Integration System, as well as to present his proposal, which had not been previously detailed.
Belize’s Ambassador to Guatemala, Alfredo Martinez, was one of the persons who attended the meeting in Antigua. He told Amandala: “We are surprised by the far-reaching effects of his proposals.” Perez Molina spoke of the possibility of declaring a frontal attack on drug trafficking, as is done in Mexico, but he went further to say, maybe all of this isn’t working and it’s about time we consider decriminalizing the transshipment of drugs.
“This was the surprise,” said Ambassador Martinez.
The Ambassador said that there was no discussion on the decriminalization proposal, but Costa Rica and Panama, the only two countries whose presidents were present apart from Guatemala, the host country, said they did not agree.
“They felt his [Perez Molina’s] initiatives were bold and avant garde, but did not feel countries were ready for such a thing and there had been no proper discussion,” Martinez said.
“Belize was not prepared with any position. Belize said it cannot be sitting down to discuss such a major issue without talking with the major consumer – the US,” Martinez elaborated.
“Let it pass through…. We are getting fed up of what is happening, of the way the consuming nations are not helping us properly,” Martinez said Molina had conveyed. The Guatemalan president lamented the extensive loss of lives and the huge sums of money spent in the war against narco-trafficking.
Another purpose of the Antigua meeting was to discuss progress on the regional security strategy, which was formulated and adopted in mid-2011 at a summit held in Guatemala City, and attended by Prime Minister Barrow.
Among the over 50 countries which were represented at last year’s meeting were the European nations, Canada, and the USA, some of whom had pledged their assistance to put the strategy into effect.
Ambassador Martinez told us that support has been slow in coming, principally due to the economic situation. Although the strategy calls for a budget of more than US$400 million, 6 months after it has been in effect, they have managed to raise only US$74 million.
At the Summit of the Americas due to be held in Colombia next month, this security strategy, as well as Perez Molina’s proposal, may again be put on the table.
The Guatemalan president also spoke of the creation of a regional security court, said Ambassador Martinez. This court would deal with money laundering and narco-trafficking cases.
Guatemala’s drug decriminalization proposal was addressed at a news conference in Belize today by Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Maria Otero, who restated the US’s continued commitment through CARSI, and made it clear that the US does not believe that decriminalizing drugs is the way to go.