US promises $107 million more to fight Central America crime

By Dialogo
March 07, 2012

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden pledged on March 6 to allocate US$107 million more in aid to Central America under a security initiative to tackle organized crime amid soaring drug violence in the region.
“Despite the significant recession ... we are sustaining support for the Central American Regional Security Initiative, through which we have dedicated US$361 million since 2008. And we’re asking our Congress for another US$107 million next year,” Biden said after meeting with regional presidents in Honduras.
Biden spoke of the “shared responsibility” of the United States and said U.S. authorities were acting on “multiple fronts,” including seeking to reduce demand for illegal drugs at home.
He also proposed that the United States and Central American governments hold an annual high-level meeting to assess progress on improving security.
[AFP, 07/03/2012; Voanews.com, 07/03/2012]