U.S.-Honduras High Level Security Dialogue

U.S.-Honduras High Level Security Dialogue

Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
January 12, 2015

The United States and Honduras have built a strong, longstanding relationship based on mutual respect, cooperation, and common goals. Today, the United States and Honduras held a High Level Security Dialogue and discussed areas where we can continue to work together to prevent and reduce crime, hold accountable narcotraffickers and other criminals, and further strengthen judicial institutions.

Honduras highlighted its notable successes over the past year, including the extradition of major drug traffickers to the United States and an impressive drop in the homicide rate, and outlined its strategy for countering threats like transnational organized crime and trafficking in persons and drugs. On migrant smuggling, Honduras highlighted considerable successes, including numerous arrests of smugglers and the rescue of hundreds of migrant children (accompanied and unaccompanied) being smuggled. The United States is also working aggressively and successfully, using intelligence-driven investigations and targeted operations, to dismantle the human smuggling networks that move Honduran migrants north, resulting in the arrests of hundreds of smugglers. The two sides discussed continuing our collaboration to strengthen crime prevention efforts focused on local community policing methods and on creating alternative opportunities for at-risk individuals in high crime areas. The United States also congratulated Honduras on its historic agreement with Transparency International, aimed at promoting government accountability and reducing corruption. Honduras reiterated its commitment to improve its security in a framework of respect for human rights with special protection for human rights defenders. In this regard, both the United States and Honduras expressed support for their bilateral human rights dialogue.

In addition, the delegations discussed ways in which the United States can support Honduras in implementing its national security plan and how both can collaborate with others in the region to address shared challenges. Both sides acknowledged the importance of addressing the security and economic issues that are vital for ensuring that the people of the Northern Triangle are able to benefit fully from increased peace and prosperity in Central America. They also agreed on the importance of working collaboratively throughout the hemisphere to fight transnational criminal organizations and to deepen ongoing efforts to enhance regional cooperation and integration.

ENDS

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