Guatemala: Right-Wing Narco State

This is truly a story that explains everything you need to know about the US's Latin American foreign policy.

Two months after George Bush rewarded his new conservative hermano (who signed on his Free-Trade deal CAFTA earlier this year) by taking his off a list of countries "failing demonstrably" to fight drugs, the country's top drug fighter was arrested for drug trafficking.

It appears the only influence (carrot/stick) we have in Latin America are these stupid lists of good and bad countries in the war on drugs, on "human rights," on terrorism, on sufficient free market worship...

These lists have always been political first. Why else would Cuba be listed alongside Iran in supporting terrorism and a country breaking records in drug seizures gets their stamp of approval taken away? Then this.



de BBC NEWS

Guatemala's top anti-drug investigator, Adan Castillo, has been charged in the US with drug-trafficking. His deputy and another investigator were also arrested and indicted...

The arrests were "a strong blow to the infiltration of organized crime in the structures of the Guatemalan government," Mr Vielman said at a news conference in Guatemala City...

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Mr Castillo said he was frustrated in his job because corruption in the Guatemalan government made fighting drug smugglers impossible, and that he was ready to quit after just six months in his post.

US officials believe 75% of the cocaine that arrives in the US travels through Guatemala.