The head of the Interior portfolio, Nicolas Martinelli, confirmed the signing of an agreement with USA to prevent and combat serious crimes, a further step towards obtaining visa-free access for Uruguayans; the alliance was established within the framework of the Latin American Security Summit in Guayaquiltogether with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
This was confirmed by the Minister of the Interior through his social networks by ensuring that Uruguay and the United States signed an agreement to approach the Visa Waiver Program of the North American country, which allows the entry of citizens of other countries without the need for a visa.
“This is the agreement to prevent and combat serious crimes (Preventing and Combating Serious Crime). “It allows cooperation in combating serious and complex crimes and transnational crime, moving towards an unprecedented level of cooperation and exchange of information between both countries,” he said.
In this regard, he assured that, after the signing of this instrument, Uruguay The US government has concluded a series of agreements necessary to be readmitted to the Visa Waiver Program in the United States. “Effective incorporation into the program can be achieved once the programs are fully implemented and a series of requirements established by the program are met,” he explained.
The IDB proposal
Meanwhile, the IDB also announced an agreement between the World Bank and CAF —development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean— with the aim of deepening cooperation and collaboration among countries in the region to generate knowledge applicable to public policies to combat transnational crime.
At the opening session of the event, which takes place in the coastal city of Guayaquil, the president of the IDB, Ilan Goldfajn, He said crime and violence cost the region 3.5% of its Gross Domestic Product He also pointed out that these meetings are an opportunity to join forces to confront crime and violence, a problem “that is not new, but is evolving.” “We are facing a different challenge, it is a crime that is more organized, more sophisticated, more interconnected, and does not respect borders,” he warned.
He IDB The UN addresses the issue of crime and violence with a vision focused on prevention and strengthening the capacity of security and justice institutions. In this regard, Goldfajn stressed that the objective is to “cut off the oxygen” to organized crime in three areas: limiting its influence among the most vulnerable populations, strengthening the institutions of the State and cutting off its financial flow.
An example for the region
On the other hand, the president of the IDB He commented that, at the request of Ecuador, They are developing a program that could be “an example for the region” for prevention and response to violence and crime with an investment of 150 million dollars, which is expected to be approved “in a few months.”
Among the initiatives proposed by the program to strengthen the presence of the State in the territories most exposed to the influence of the delinquency, This includes a new model of specialised police service and the establishment of integrated social services centres for young people at risk of being recruited.
“The initiatives will be complemented with technology and programs to prevent the smuggling of migrants and human trafficking,” he said, speaking of the importance of also detecting and investigating money laundering and improving the capacity to further investigate, including cybercrime.
“He racketeering “Works without borders, while governments work with borders, lack resources and need regional and international collaboration,” he said, adding that they are exploring avenues for collaboration with the IMF, but noted that the private sector and civil society must be involved to have a platform for joint action.
Source: Ambito
