Central American leaders say meeting with US vice president to focus on drugs, violent crime

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Central American leaders say meeting with US vice president to focus on drugs, violent crime
By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, March 6, 4:12 PM

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Central American leaders gathered Tuesday to meet with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, saying they would focus on drug trafficking and the violent crime that plagues their region.

Guatemalan President Otto Perez has said he favors legalizing drugs as a way to decrease drug cartel violence. On Monday, during a visit to Mexico, Biden said the U.S. government doesn’t think that is the answer.

After arriving in Honduras’ capital for Tuesday’s meeting, Perez didn’t say whether he would bring up drug legalization at the session. But speaking at the Tegucigalpa airport, Perez said it was an opportune time to discuss “organized crime, drug trafficking and the problems the region faces.”

Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla said the region is suffering from the ills tied to drug trafficking and consumption, and “we demand the United States assume responsibility.”


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/central-american-leaders-say-meeting-with-us-vice-president-to-focus-on-drugs-violent-crime/2012/03/06/gIQAy3qAvR_story.html

[Judi Lynn]

1. Biden in Honduras: US drug policy under scrutiny

Biden in Honduras: US drug policy under scrutiny
Even staunch US allies in the Americas are urging a debate on drug policy – including legalization – amid spiraling violence in their countries.
By Sara Miller Llana, Staff writer / March 6, 2012

Mexico City

As US Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Honduras to meet with Central American leaders today, the long accepted playbook on a top issue – the war on drugs – is coming under sharp scrutiny.

In the past five years, drug-trafficking violence has led to spiraling death tolls, overflowing prisons, and overwhelmed justice systems across Mexico and Central America. Now, led by Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina, leaders are starting to question a policy review is needed, including a debate on legalizing narcotics.

It is not the first time players in the region have questioned hardline tactics. But now the message is coming from sitting presidents in staunch US allies, from Costa Rica to Colombia. So far the US has dug in its heels, but the pressure is mounting.

“This is a sign of what is to come.... Increasingly, countries are less afraid to explore other alternatives,” says Jorge Hernandez Tinajero, the president of CUPIHD, a civil society organization in Mexico that disseminates information about drug policies. “It makes it harder for the US to continue justifying the status quo.”

More:
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2012/0306/Biden-in-Honduras-US-drug-policy-under-scrutiny?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+feeds%2Fworld+%28Christian+Science+Monitor+%7C+World%29

[Vincardog]

2. “It makes it harder for the US to continue justifying the status quo." good! The rest of the world

is starting to balk at continue to participate in the Government's war against their own people.
Stop the madness. When corporations benefit from prison labor they have every reason to demand more of it.
The
PEOPLE are tired if the BS and getting ready to revolt.

[bitchkitty]

3. Why didn't they include

Bolivia's and Venezuela's leaders in this little coffee klatch? Or cocaine klatch, as the case may be.

Porfirio Lobo? Really? I guess it was only for CENTRAL American leaders, but still...Porfirio Lobo? We recognize him, do we?

[Bacchus4.0]

4. I'm guessing because neither are Central American leaders

and secondly Biden wouldn't meet with Morales or Chavez even if they were.

[bitchkitty]

5. I clarified in the last paragraph -

but thanks anyway. And thanks for admitting that our leaders are not interested in diplomacy.

[Bacchus4.0]

6. you're welcome, and yes the US recognizes Lobo. I think just about everyone else does too

admitting has nothing to do with it. recognition that Morales and Chavez aren't interested in diplomacy either is more like it. bashing the US has served their own interests for awhile now although that is wearing thin.

I suspect they wanted to direct US foreign policy when Obama first became president, but it doesn't work that way.

[bitchkitty]

7. Again, thank you

for further demonstrating for all of us just exactly what you are, if not who. Good job!