U.S. Donates $600,000 in Equipment to Combat Illegal Trafficking

A/S Jacobson at the donation event

During her visit to El Salvador on June 27, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson delivered $600,000 worth of boats and vehicles to the Minister of Justice and Public Security, David Munguía Payés, and the Minister of Defense, Gral. Atilio Benitez.

The donation, which is being made with funds from the Central American Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) through the State Department’s Office International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), consists of three medium size Zodiac patrol boats (model LE2400), three small Zodiac inflatable patrol boats (model FC530), and six trucks and trailers to transport the boats. The donation addresses part of the U.S. commitment under Partnership for Growth to help professionalize Salvadoran security forces in their fight against illicit trafficking and organized crime.

The boats will be used by the Cuscatlán Joint Task Force, an entity that includes civilian and military officials from both the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the Ministry of Defense. The goal of the joint Task Force is to combine resources from multiple government agencies in order to improve coastal security and combat the illicit trafficking of arms, drugs and people through Salvadoran territory.

 Assistant Secretary of State Jacobson’s visit is part of a regional tour to explore the issue of public safety El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. She arrived in San Salvador on June 26 and will meet with President Mauricio Funes, Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez and other key officials of the Salvadoran Security Cabinet before departing for Guatemala and Honduras on June 27.