VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGT #0032/01 0061548
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061547Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0692
INFO WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RHEHOND/DIR ONDCP WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/USCBP WASHINGTON DC
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIAO/HQ ICE IAO WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 0159
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC
RUEPWAI/ATF INTEL WASHINGTON DC
RUETIAA/DODSPECONE WASHINGTON DC
RUWDQAA/USCGC WASHINGTON

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