WASHINGTON – Today, a U.S. delegation led by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Deputy Under Secretary James McCament, joined by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Hugo Rodriguez, and a Honduran delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lisandro Rosales, as well as Minister of Security Julian Pacheco and Minister of Labor Carlos Madero, completed a series of productive meetings in Washington, D.C. on a broad range of topics related to border security, irregular migration, combating migrant smuggling and transnational criminal organizations, and expanding avenues for legal migration. This meeting is the latest in a series of ongoing discussions and agreements between the United States and Honduras, including a meeting between the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Kevin K. McAleenan, and the President of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernandez, on August 26, 2019.
The U.S. and Honduran delegations discussed expanding and enhancing law enforcement and information-sharing partnerships to support Honduran public safety and strengthen regional border security. The U.S. and Honduran delegations also discussed collaboration through advising, training, and capacity building related to border security operations and stemming the flow of irregular migration. Additionally, the U.S. and Honduran delegations discussed efforts to combat gang violence through enhanced law enforcement partnerships and information sharing. The Honduran delegation provided the United States with detailed information regarding its economic development plan to reduce irregular migration and promote sustainable development.
The U.S and Honduran delegations also discussed joint efforts to address irregular migration through a regional, shared approach that balances security with reducing obstacles to investment and economic development.
Acting Secretary McAleenan closed this week’s discussions with a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Rosales today. The United States and Honduras will meet again next week in Tegucigalpa to continue these discussions, which are based on our shared commitment to confront our common challenges.