WASHINGTON – As a partner of Central America, the United States continues to support regional and national efforts to turn the region’s citizen security challenges into catalysts for building a more secure and prosperous future for Central America.

Through the Central America Regional Security Initiative and related U.S. government assistance programs, the United States is assisting the region to break the power, violence, and impunity of the region’s drug, gang, and criminal organizations; strengthen justice sector institutions so that they advance the rule of law; resist corruption; protect human rights; and deter the resurgence of organized crime. U.S. assistance initiatives also support crime-prevention programs aimed at addressing the social and economic causes of crime and violence and addressing crime at the community level.

Assistant Secretary Barton will meet with embassy partners and key stakeholders to explore additional ways that the United States can work with the nations and citizens of Central America to support their programs aimed at reducing violence and improving local capacity.