Guatemala's security has been neglected for eight years
Wednesday, 05 November 2008 11:47 Barbara Schieber
E-mail
security cabinet guatemala
Guatemala - At the fourth event "Governing with the people" that includes a security cabinet meeting in Salamá, Baja Verapaz, President President Alvaro Colom acknowledged that the country had inherited a debt of eight years on the issue of security. "Crime is increasing, when you look at the statistics it is evident that crime increased steadily until 2007. This is an inheritance of eight years of turmoil in terms of security."
According to figures from the Ministry of the Interior, in the past 11 years more than 16 thousand 811 people have been killed by firearms, while organized crime is growing in strength in national territories.
"There is no ill will".
President Alvaro Colom spoke yesterday about the Army's refusal to hand over the military archives. Alvaro Colom had promised in February 2008 that these sensitive archives would be handed over to the civil government.
He asserted that "there is no ill will." He said he personally is working on this matter with Defense Minister Marco Tulio Garcia Franco. He said that the delay in delivery of the files is due to the legal issues of the past, and assured that "it's going to be ready when it is ready." He guaranteed that the documents "are well protected and there is no risk that the information will be lost."
All four security cabinets carried out in different Guatemalan departments so far, concluded with a common demand: security for the population. Local authorities have highlighted, that rather than economic problems, the biggest concerns are about the high rates of violence.
With the fourth event "Governing with the people" yesterday in Salamá, the Executive has carried out four of these events: Totonicapan, Izabal and Coban, Alta Verapaz.
The demand from the eight mayors in Salamá, Baja Verapaz, was greater presence of the National Civil Police and the army in the municipalities. The request was made to President Alvaro Colom, who led the meeting. Baja Verapaz has the second lowest crime rate of the country.
President Colom acknowledged that his offer to improve security in only eight months was a mistake, a mistake based on lack of information. "Being the opposition party, we did not know the true status of the security situation and the lack of available quality security forces."
"We received 3,249 police officers per shift, and we want to have at least 15, 000. We know that the country needs 30,000 police officers. The next government will have to continue with this effort and the subsequent government too, to be able to reach the necessary numbers of police and security personnel to keep the nation safe.
Wednesday, 05 November 2008 11:47 Barbara Schieber
security cabinet guatemala
Guatemala - At the fourth event "Governing with the people" that includes a security cabinet meeting in Salamá, Baja Verapaz, President President Alvaro Colom acknowledged that the country had inherited a debt of eight years on the issue of security. "Crime is increasing, when you look at the statistics it is evident that crime increased steadily until 2007. This is an inheritance of eight years of turmoil in terms of security."
According to figures from the Ministry of the Interior, in the past 11 years more than 16 thousand 811 people have been killed by firearms, while organized crime is growing in strength in national territories.
"There is no ill will".
President Alvaro Colom spoke yesterday about the Army's refusal to hand over the military archives. Alvaro Colom had promised in February 2008 that these sensitive archives would be handed over to the civil government.
He asserted that "there is no ill will." He said he personally is working on this matter with Defense Minister Marco Tulio Garcia Franco. He said that the delay in delivery of the files is due to the legal issues of the past, and assured that "it's going to be ready when it is ready." He guaranteed that the documents "are well protected and there is no risk that the information will be lost."
All four security cabinets carried out in different Guatemalan departments so far, concluded with a common demand: security for the population. Local authorities have highlighted, that rather than economic problems, the biggest concerns are about the high rates of violence.
With the fourth event "Governing with the people" yesterday in Salamá, the Executive has carried out four of these events: Totonicapan, Izabal and Coban, Alta Verapaz.
The demand from the eight mayors in Salamá, Baja Verapaz, was greater presence of the National Civil Police and the army in the municipalities. The request was made to President Alvaro Colom, who led the meeting. Baja Verapaz has the second lowest crime rate of the country.
President Colom acknowledged that his offer to improve security in only eight months was a mistake, a mistake based on lack of information. "Being the opposition party, we did not know the true status of the security situation and the lack of available quality security forces."
"We received 3,249 police officers per shift, and we want to have at least 15, 000. We know that the country needs 30,000 police officers. The next government will have to continue with this effort and the subsequent government too, to be able to reach the necessary numbers of police and security personnel to keep the nation safe.
Comment