Embassy Guatemala: December 2009 Merida Report

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000032

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO USAID/LAC/CAM KSEIFERT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SNAR KCRM KJUS EAID GT
SUBJECT: EMBASSY Guatemala: December 2009 Merida Report

REF: A) 09 STATE 114752; B) 09 GUATEMALA 1128; C) 09 GUATEMALA 1392
D) 09 GUATEMALA 1410; E) 09 GUATEMALA 1412; F) 09 GUATEMALA 1424
G) 09 GUATEMALA 1484


1. (U) In response to ref A, Post submits the information
below detailing EMBASSY Guatemala's

Merida activities for December 2009.



Issues for Washington




2. (U) Allocation of Merida funding continues to be
inconsistent and slow. Post requests

Washington's continued assistance in ensuring the speedy allocation
of Merida funds to all agencies.




3. (U) Post appreciates Washington's assistance in securing
the release of funding

for the UN-led International Commission Against Impunity in
Guatemala (CICIG). CICIG is an important USG partner in Guatemala
and we want to extend our thanks to everyone in Washington who
helped ensure continued funding for CICIG.



Internal Developments




4. (U) Violence statistics continue to present a disturbing
trend. According to Guatemala's

national forensic institute (INACIF),from January 1 through
November 30, 2009, there were 5,444 deaths by firearm or other, a
19 percent increase over the same period last year. Residential
thefts increased 15.9 percent over last year; vehicle thefts
increased 12.6 percent; and motorcycle thefts increased 12.4
percent. Commercial thefts were the only category in which thefts
decreased - 15.4 percent fewer than in 2008. (Note: These police
statistics include the thefts which occurred from January 1 through
November 13, 2009. End Note.) On average, 16 to 18 cars and seven
to eight motorcycles are stolen every day in Guatemala. In
addition, 107 bus drivers were murdered from January 1 through
November 30, 2009.




5. (SBU) Comment: Post does not expect the security situation
in Guatemala to improve

during 2010 -- the Colom administration will likely maintain its
current focus on funding social programs rather than devote greater
attention and resources to security issues during the coming year.
This makes it all the more important to nurture successful police

units which are proactively combating crime. Per post's Merida 2.0
submission (Ref B),Merida-supported vetted units (e.g., DEA's
Sensitive Investigative Unit (SIU) and NAS's Special Methods Unit
(UME),among others) should receive continued support. These units
need additional communications equipment, vehicles to enhance their
mobility and additional training to improve intelligence-gathering
and coordination within the region. End Comment.



Implementation Activities




6. (U) On December 15, the EMBASSY inaugurated the model
precinct in Mixco, a violent, gang-

infested suburb of Guatemala City. All Guatemalan justice sector
institutions were represented and pledged their support. Minister
of Government Raul Velasquez announced that he is working closely
with the USG to open three additional model precincts as soon as
personnel can be selected and vetted. Additionally, Velasquez
stated that he is so satisfied with the model precinct concept that
he wants it to be replicated in all precincts throughout Guatemala.
The selection and vetting of the Mixco precinct's leadership,
approximately 20 officers, has been accomplished through programs
funded by the Merida initiative. However, the actual vetting of
Mixco model precinct personnel has been conducted by Guatemalan
polygraphers and other Guatemalan police personnel. The Police
Athletic League, also funded by Merida, has been implemented in
Mixco and involves over 500 youth-at-risk and approximately 40
parents in sports and cultural activities.




7. (U) In mid-December, the first classes of the English
Access Scholarship Program in

Guatemala were held in the largely indigenous department of Quiche.
Half of the 800,000 USD cost of this program is being funded
through the Merida Initiative.




8. (U) The students selected for the Youth Ambassadors
program (para 11) received an

extensive pre-departure briefing in late December.




9. (U) Post's Law Enforcement Working Group met on December 1.
Post held its

Merida Initiative meeting on December 8.



Significant Merida Supported Host Nation Seizures




10. (SBU) USG law enforcement participation and/or intelligence
played an important part in

seizures in December 2009:

- December 1 - Guatemala City International Airport:
Seizure of 29,950 tablets of pseudoephedrine (Ref C).



- December 4 - Guatemala City International Airport:
Seizure of 82,889 tablets of pseudoephedrine (Ref D).



- December 5 - Guatemala City International Airport:
Seizure of 1.5 kilograms of heroin and arrest of two individuals,
who are alleged to be drug couriers for an international heroin
smuggling organization (Ref E).



- December 9 - Guatemala City: Seizure of 1,000,120 USD
and arrest of one individual (Ref F).



- December 20 - Guatemala City International Airport:
Seizure of 32,800 USD (Ref G).



The Month Ahead




11. (U) Below are post's planned activities for January 2010:



- Grantee Georgetown University (through its local
partner) finished the selection process for students to participate
in the Merida-funded Central American Youth Ambassadors Program.
The Public Affairs Section participated in student interviews and
made the final choice. A total of 10 bright but under-privileged
students and one chaperone will travel to the United States on
January 24 for a 3-week cultural immersion. Selected students come
mainly from very poor areas of the Guatemalan highlands and
represent the K'iche', Mam, and Q'anjob'al ethnic groups, among
others.



- A group of three non-elite university students will
travel to St. Michael's College in

Vermont for an 8-week Undergraduate Intensive English Language
program funded through the Merida Initiative. Participants in this
program represent a variety of departments and universities.



- The majority of students in the English Access program
(700 in all) will begin classes in mid-to-late January.



- In early 2010, the Automated Fingerprint Identification

System (AFIS),partially-funded with Merida funds, will become
operational in Guatemala and provide fingerprint information to the
Guatemalan justice sector, support the FBI Central American
Fingerprint Initiative (CAF????) and the Regional Gang Initiative.
The International Ballistics Identification System (IBIS),
partially-funded with Merida funds, will also be donated to the
National Civilian Police to provide ballistics information to link
homicides in Guatemala, in the region and with U.S. law enforcement
entities.



- During the first few months of 2010, the model precinct
concept will be expanded to serve additional communities in
Guatemala. The USG will assist in the selection, vetting and
training of police and prosecutors to improve security in these
areas. The actual vetting of police and prosecutors will be
conducted by Guatemalan authorities. Training, technical support
and donations will be made with Merida funds combined with
bilateral funds.
MCFARLAND