The Ministry of Communications of Guatemala tenders the supply of drug detectors and explosives for La Aurora International Airport.
Guatemala Government Purchase 9710760:
"Some specifications of the equipment required:
Types of Narcotics: Amphetamines, Buprenorphine, Carfentanil, Cocaine, Fentanyl, Methamphetamines, Morphine, THC (also known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), among others, in case a new explosive or narcotic arises that can be incorporated into the memory of the equipment through the conduit and at no additional cost.
The government has announced it will buy an aircraft and maritime interdiction boats, and will contract maintenance for aircraft in the National Air Service.
The Cabinet has endorsed the purchase of a DHC-6 Twin Otter 400 aircraft as well as maritime interdiction vessels DAMEN 1102 and three contracts for maintenance of aircraft order to strengthen the capacity of the National Air Service (Senan).
At the same time as maintaining strong cooperation ties with the United States in the fight against drug trafficking, Nicaragua is carrying out naval exercises with the Russian Navy.
An article on Actualidad.rt.com reports that "... Russia and Nicaragua carried out these joint exercises in the Caribbean Sea in recent days in order to help combat illicit trafficking of drugs and put an end to the use of Central America as a main transit corridor.
Inflamed with imperialist verve when with his peers in his own backyard, Daniel Ortega has in the U.S. a major economic partner and a firm ally in security.
An article in Elnuevodiario.com.ni notes that President Daniel Ortega went in a week from asserting "... the government of Panama to be a 'spokesman for interests of the empire', referring to the United States and regarding its position on the situation of violence in Venezuela" to deporting " ... the Cuban American Ana Sol Alliegro, wanted by the FBI for illegal campaign donations, among other crimes. "
The state prosecutor has signalled the penetration of drug trafficking organizations in the Panamanian economy and in political institutions.
According to the prosecutor, Ana Belfon, during her first year of work she has perceived an increased penetration of organized crime into the economy and institutions of the Panamanian government.
"No wonder drug traffickers can penetrate institutions, since they have practically created a parallel economy," Belfon said.
The government confirmed the $30 million purchase of a 360 degrees capacity radar and two additional small ones.
This was announced by Chief of the Armed Forces of Honduras, René Osorio, who added that the radars bought in Israel will arrive in the country in late January.
"The purchase was made via financing with a maturity of 10 years and the equipment will be installed at strategic points in the Central American country," noted an article in Proceso.hn.
The National Council for Defence and Security plans to spend $30 million on three radars to detect aircraft entering the country illegally.
The equipment will be acquired through a loan with a ten year payment plan which is expected to arrive in the country later this year, and will be used to combat drug trafficking activities, said René Osorio, head of the Joint Chiefs of the Armed Forces.
The movement of illicit capital in Costa Rica and Panama counts for more than 10% of their respective GDP, meaning that its removal would be a major blow to their economies.
Editorial
The report entitled "Illicit Financial Flows from Developing Countries: 2001-2010" by Global Financial Integrity, reveals that during the first 10 years of the new century, the flow of illicit money in Costa Rica amounted to $64 billion, while in Panama the total was $40 billion.
Crime and violence associated with drug trafficking brings with it overwhelming economic costs, estimated at about 8% of GDP.
In this illegal activity, that in the 90's was centered in the Caribbean but has migrated to Central America, cartels move about 300 tons of cocaine to North America, valued at $38 billion.
According to the National Civil Police, between 2008 and 2011 40,000 murders were committed in the country, of which a high percentage are related to drug trafficking.
Mexico is currently making headlines worldwide for its drug violence, but the homicide rate in Central America is now higher than that of the Aztec nation.
Like other analysts, Andres Oppenheimer attributes the drama unfolding in Central America to drug trafficking: "Even in Costa Rica, a country that is often called the Switzerland of Latin America because it is an island of peace and prosperity in the region, there is growing anxiety about the rising tide of drug-related violence."
Private companies will participate in monitoring the results of the plan.
Following Colombia’s example, where monitoring by the private business sector was instrumental in implementing the security measures proposed by the government, businessmen from El Salvador will monitor the security plan and the tax on large amounts of capital.
The methods used to finance the government's ambitious plan to combat insecurity is the private sector’s main concern, because to apply the tax on large capital (assets over $500 thousand) a significant portion of the country’s business could be affected .
Widespread corruption, institutional weakness, disputes between countries, and resistance to more taxes, are jeopardizing the chances of success of the plan and its 22 projects.
A summit held in Guatemala, where for the first time since 1856 Central American countries agreed to fight together, culminated in joint action plans to combat drug trafficking.
The country is looking at buying Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano planes to use in the battle against drug trafficking.
President Porfirio Lobo met with the head of the International Security Cabinet of Brazil, José Elito Siqueriam to discuss the issue.
Digital Process reported, "During the meeting they also discussed the commitment of President Rousseff ‘s government’s to collaborate with the Lobo Sosa administration in logistical support and training the police to combat crime and criminality. "
The funds will be used to strengthen programs to combat organized crime in the country.
The prevention, rehabilitation and strengthening of law enforcement are some of the areas that will be enhanced with the injection of new resources.
The loan, granted by the Inter-American Development Bank, was signed by President Laura Chinchilla in the institution's headquarters in Washington as part of the business tour business that the president is currently taking.