Joint Statement on the U.S. Guatemala High Level Security Dialogue

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Guatemala on the occasion of the inaugural High-Level Security Dialogue.

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The Republic of Guatemala and the United States of America reiterated today their commitment to shared interests in matters of security, democracy, rule of law, and transparency as fundamental cornerstones for the bilateral relationship. Both governments view the establishment of a High-Level Security Dialogue as a crucial step toward a shared strategy to counter transnational security threats, knowing this will serve as a foundation for broader and deeper cooperation to jointly address challenges and advance common interests.

Both governments agreed to enhance cooperation focused on achieving transformational change across Guatemala's security and justice sector institutions, including through implementation of the "Guatemala Se Transforma" initiative, announced in Washington, D.C., in March 2024, and its three pillars: Alliances, Good Governance, and Safe Communities. The Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) announced its intent, working with the U.S. Congress, to commit approximately $50 million in additional resources toward "Guatemala Se Transforma," bringing INL's total commitment to approximately $100 million.

• Alliances: Both governments recognized the importance of building domestic partnerships and coalitions with diverse actors. They held discussions with private sector representatives to identify opportunities to work together to strengthen security while facilitating trade and commerce, particularly at Guatemalan ports.

The parties also met with Indigenous and Garifuna representatives to discuss collaboration on community-based solutions to security challenges. As part of joint efforts to create a stronger National Civil Police that is representative of the population it serves, steps were also considered to strengthen the recruitment, retention, and promotion within the police of women and Indigenous and Garifuna peoples.

• Good Governance: Both governments underscored the critical moment Guatemala is experiencing and the importance of countering corruption to strengthen democratic institutions, enhance accountability, and consolidate governance. In this spirit, the Government of Guatemala is working on strategies and actions to modernize and reform the National Civil Police to position it to better respond to emerging security challenges, increase citizen confidence, strengthen corruption reporting mechanisms, and improve police services for Guatemalan citizens.
• Safe Communities: Both governments recognized the efforts of the Republic of Guatemala in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime. They commended achievements such as the interdiction of almost 11,000 kilograms of illicit substances through September 2024 - a 223 percent increase over 2023. As part of the efforts of both governments to strengthen counternarcotics cooperation, Guatemala will adopt a regulation to better control and investigate the diversion of chemical precursors used to manufacture synthetic drugs such as fentanyl.

Within the framework of Penitentiary System strategies, the Guatemalan government, with the support of the United States, committed to complete the certification process of the Fraijanes 1 Rehabilitation and Reintegration Center by the American Correctional Association, as a step toward improving prison conditions in accordance with international standards.

To strengthen democratic institutions in the security sphere, the parties agreed to expand formal U.S. support to the National Commission Against Corruption to implement mechanisms aimed at countering corruption in national entities, in compliance with international conventions against corruption ratified by Guatemala.

Both governments highlighted their commitment to the continuation of the High-Level Security Dialogue, through which officials from both countries will collaborate on strategic planning and implement mutually agreed cooperation activities by incorporating short-, medium-, and long-term initiatives.

The parties concluded that this Dialogue mechanism will increase our bilateral capacity to address key issues affecting our countries' national security and the root causes of migration, strengthening security and prosperity in the hemisphere.

This Dialogue builds on high-level events celebrated in Guatemala this year, including the U.S.-Guatemala High-Level Economic Dialogue in March and the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection Ministerial in May, advancing our shared goal of promoting prosperity, security, and democracy in Guatemala and the region.

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