Asunción, Agencia IP.- The President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, stated that restructuring the cooperation Paraguay receives from the DEA is part of the institutional strengthening of the country’s security forces and part of the government’s comprehensive fight against organized crime.
«This is part of an institutional evolution process in Paraguay, and it is important to consider that there have been profound changes in the past 15 months,» the President said last Monday when asked about the decision.
He emphasized that regardless of the international cooperation it receives, Paraguay must face the challenges of transnational organized crime. He stressed the importance of coordinated work among all domestic security agencies based on a strategy to collaborate with allied governments.
«We are preparing to fulfill our responsibilities. We may have the best intentions and benefit from the DEA’s or another agency’s knowledge. Still, if we do not control our airspace and lack radars and planes, it is useless,» the President said.
Regarding the specific cooperation with the DEA, President Peña acknowledged that the partnership has been positive over the past decades. However, Paraguay is now focused on strengthening its fight against drug trafficking, recognizing its role as a transit country for drugs in the region.
«We will continue working, and there are ongoing meetings with DEA officials and representatives from the U.S. government. I can assure you that the result will be a broader, more robust cooperation agreement, enabling Paraguay to continue making significant progress in the fight against drug trafficking,» the President concluded.