For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
GUATEMALA CITY—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner David Aguilar, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton and Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Alan Bersin today traveled to Mexico City and Guatemala City to meet with their international counterparts and discuss the United States government’s efforts in facilitating trade and travel, enhancing information sharing and working to ensure a more safe, secure and resilient global supply chain.
"The threats we face increasingly cross international boundaries, and strong international partnerships are critical to the region’s security," said Secretary Napolitano. “We are committed to working with our Central American partners to facilitate legitimate trade and travel while securing and managing our borders.”
In Mexico City, Secretary Napolitano, Acting Commissioner Aguilar, Director Morton and Assistant Secretary Bersin met with Mexican Secretary of Finance and Public Credit José Antonio Meade and Secretary of Governance Alejandro Poiré. During their meetings, Secretary Napolitano and Secretary Meade signed agreements reaffirming the commitment of both nations to facilitate legitimate trade and cargo and enhance information sharing. Secretary Napolitano and Secretary Meade also issued a joint statement underscoring the two countries’ shared commitment to securing the global supply chain. Secretary Napolitano then met with Mexican Secretary of Governance Poiré to discuss efforts in combating human trafficking, terrorism and transnational crime, and signed an agreement to increase collaboration on the repatriation of illegal immigrants in the United States to Mexico.
Secretary Napolitano, Acting Commissioner Aguilar and Assistant Secretary Bersin then traveled to Guatemala City where they met with Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina, Foreign Minister Harold Caballeros, Minister of Defense General Ulises Anzueto, Minister of Government Mauricio Lopez Bonilla and National Security Advisor Ricardo Bustamente. Secretary Napolitano signed an aviation security agreement with the Guatemalan officials that will strengthen the ability of both nations to combat transnational crime and other threats through enhanced information sharing while facilitating travel and international commerce.
Secretary Napolitano will continue to the El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama on Feb. 28-29, where she will participate in bilateral meetings and deliver remarks at the Integrated Border Management Seminar in Panama City.
For more information, please visit www.dhs.gov.
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