Asunción, Agencia IP.- A delegation of Paraguayan government officials returned due to the new U.S. administration’s decision to suspend international cooperation programs temporarily.
The delegation was set to participate in training at the International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEAs) in New Mexico, United States, alongside delegations from Peru and Uruguay.
Paragauayan Police Commander Carlos Benítez stated that, by President Donald Trump’s decision, all cooperation projects are on hold. International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEAs) offer training to U.S. allied countries in the fight against all types of crime: transnational crimes, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, and emerging trends, among others.
«ILEAs is where several courses have historically been conducted for Paraguayan agencies, always sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, and with this change of government, there is an administrative cut,» clarified the commander in an interview with Ñanduti.
The delegation, which included officials from the National Police, the Executive, and the Judiciary, departed on January 23. Upon arriving in New Mexico, the incoming government communicated its decision to suspend international cooperation, including ILEA courses at its New Mexico headquarters and in other countries.
The measure affected officials from Paraguay, Uruguay, and Peru who were going to participate in the same training. The National Police Commander stated that the resumption of cooperation will be communicated once the new government completes its administrative cut.
Regarding media reports that the Paraguayan delegation was «banned» or that the officials were «deported,» he clarified that «this is far from the truth.» He pointed out that it is a prerogative of the U.S. government. Over the years, hundreds of police officers and other officials have participated in courses developed in cooperation with the United States.