21St Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Illicit trade, trade-based money laundering, adversarial foreign investments, adversarial threats
Mr. Manuel Levario elucidated the endeavors of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in bolstering security and capacity-building in Guatemala through collaborative partnerships with local institutions, including customs authorities, the Policía Nacional Civil, and other government agencies. In tandem with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, these initiatives provide training and technical assistance to enhance border security, customs operations, and risk assessment, thereby combating corruption, illicit trade, and organized crime particularly in maritime ports.
Levario underscored that human trafficking and illegal migration persist as highly lucrative criminal activities, with migrants frequently incurring substantial financial burdens to be transported towards the United States, often traversing routes controlled by criminal cartels. He emphasized that fortifying customs procedures, enhancing information sharing, and developing joint intelligence programs can facilitate the identification of illicit shipments and criminal networks. Ultimately, he asserted that these capacity-building initiatives are designed to promote transparency, facilitate legal trade, mitigate corruption, and enhance regional security while concurrently addressing migration pressures impacting both Guatemala and the United States.
