Assistant Secretary David Johnson will travel to Honduras and Guatemala from October 18 to 21, 2010.

In Guatemala, A/S Johnson will meet with Minister of Government Carlos Menocal, Attorney General Maria Mejia de Contreras, Police Reform Commissioner Helen Mack, International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) Commissioner Francisco Dall'Anese, and other members of the Guatemalan government to discuss law enforcement reform and pending legislation that will allow further security and justice efforts.

On October 20 and 21, Assistant Secretary Johnson, along with US Ambassador Hugo Llorens, will meet with President Porfirio Lobo, Secretary of State for Security Oscar Alvarez, and convene the U.S.-Honduras Merida-CARSI Task Force. In both countries Assistant Secretary Johnson will have the opportunity to discuss on-going efforts to address crime and violence. In Honduras, he will emphasize law enforcement initiatives for corrections and efforts to dismantle and prosecute criminal organizations.

These meetings will demonstrate U.S. support and shared commitment to addressing rising crime and violence in Guatemala, Honduras, and throughout Central America. The assistant secretary will encourage both governments to leverage their security and justice sector successes where possible in the region. Assistant Secretary Johnson's visit will encourage continued partnership between the U.S., the governments of Central America, and other international donors to improve citizen security in the region.