State Department sends envoy to Central America

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Apr 30, 12:20 PM EDT
State Department sends envoy to Central America

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- A high-level U.S. State Department envoy will be in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Panama next week to discuss how the U.S. can help those countries fight organized crime and stop drug trafficking.

Assistant Secretary of State Arturo Valenzuela said in a conference call from Washington on Friday that the U.S. is working with other countries, including Canada, Italy and Spain, to determine the best ways to direct the aid sent to Central American governments.

Valenzuela says he's looking forward to strengthening relations with the countries he visits in Central America.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_US_CENTRAL_AMERICA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-04-30-12-20-38

---

http://4.bp.blogspot.com.nyud.net:8090/_jyO0p-Sffqw/Sv9pNQY1HlI/AAAAAAAAAhE/v-vxGpvYAhQ/s200/arturo-valenzuela.jpg

Assistant Secretary of State Arturo Valenzuela

[Oregone]

1. Maybe we can lend the CIA to em to help, well, stop the drug trafficking

Our CIA has all sorts of tips and tricks at their disposal

And if any money is raised, we can use that to fund a grassroots insurgency in Iran and other Islamic states

[Lochloosa]

2. Problem Solved!

[peacetalksforall]

3. I am carrying a jaded opinion about anything having to do with drugs as it relates to coming into

this country since Iran-Contra - 34 +- years of distrust of this country. I am ultra cynical on this subject. And .... I am not thrilled with Sec. Clinton and Pres. Obama since Honduras and the people they rounded up to throw out a duly elected leader who only spoke out about an concept and did nothing about implementing the concept explored. ALL those deaths, all for nothing. Tragic. But, they are getting a pass on Honduras.

[EFerrari]

4. Look out, Guatemala, El Salvador and Panama!

[ShortnFiery]

5. Perhaps they brought along some CIA to recruit budding dictators? Future Manuel Noriegas?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Noriega

http://yorick.infinitejest.org:81/1/img/card-school_of_the_americas.jpg

[damntexdem]

6. Technically, to Central and South America.

Panama is South America, not Central America -- based on history.