The Political Conundrum!

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

PANAMA CITY - Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner David Aguilar and Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Alan Bersin today traveled to Panama City to meet with their international counterparts, underscoring the United States government's ongoing commitment to collaborating with our international partners on combating transnational crime and working to ensure a more safe, secure and resilient global supply chain.

"We are committed to engaging with our partners around the world - including here in Central America - on efforts to bolster aviation, border and maritime security, combat transnational criminal organizations, and improve disaster preparedness and response," said Secretary Napolitano. "Today, we're strengthening our partnership with Panama by reaffirming the commitment of both Panama and the United States to secure the global supply chain against terrorist attacks and other illicit uses."

Secretary Napolitano, Acting Commissioner Aguilar and Assistant Secretary Bersin met bilaterally with Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, Minister of the Presidency Demetrio Papadimitriu and Minister of Security Raúl Mulino. During their meeting, Secretary Napolitano and Minister Mulino signed an agreement reaffirming the shared commitment of both nations to combat human trafficking through enhanced information sharing and collaboration, and another agreement on expanding participation in CBP's Global Entry program. Secretary Napolitano and Minister Mulino also issued a joint statement underscoring the two countries' shared commitment to securing the global supply chain, while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.

Secretary Napolitano also delivered remarks at the Integrated Border Management Seminar, reiterating the importance of international collaboration in aviation security, combating human trafficking, and global supply chain security through the Central America Regional Security Initiative and other partnerships. While in Panama City, Secretary Napolitano also visited Tocumen International Airport where she was briefed by CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel who are providing technical assistance to help Panamanian officials to help identify, interdict, and investigate illicit travelers. DHS is currently assisting the Panamanian government in the creation of an Advanced Passenger Information Center, which will strengthen international aviation security through enhanced information sharing.

For more information, please visit www.dhs.gov.

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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

“Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano will travel to Ottawa, Canada on March 2 to participate in the Cross-Border Crime Forum with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Canadian Minister of Justice and Attorney General Rob Nicholson, and Canadian Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews. While in Ottawa, Secretary Napolitano will also meet bilaterally with Minister Toews to discuss the ongoing partnership between the United States and Canada and collaborative efforts to advance President Obama and Prime Minister Harper’s Beyond the Border initiative and shared vision for perimeter security and economic competitiveness. More details on the trip will be released once they are finalized.”

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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner David Aguilar and Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Alan Bersin today traveled to San Salvador, El Salvador and San Jose, Costa Rica to meet with their international counterparts, hear about their priorities and discuss the U.S. Government's work to facilitate legitimate trade and travel, enhance information sharing efforts and ensure a safe, secure and resilient global supply chain.

“International security and the security of our homeland are inextricably linked. Today, threats transcend national borders and affect the security and economic prosperity of the entire international community," said Secretary Napolitano. “We are committed to working together with our Central American partners to strengthen security while facilitating legitimate travel and trade.”

In San Salvador, Secretary Napolitano, Acting Commissioner Aguilar and Assistant Secretary Bersin met with Salvadoran Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez and Public Safety Minister David Munguia Payes. During their meeting, Secretary Napolitano and Secretary Munguia Payes signed an agreement affirming their shared commitment to enhancing information sharing and aviation security. Secretary Napolitano then met with Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes to discuss collaboration on international law enforcement efforts between the United States and El Salvador.

Secretary Napolitano, Acting Commissioner Aguilar and Assistant Secretary Bersin then traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica where they met with Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla, Minister of Public Safety Mario Zamora, and Acting Foreign Minister Carlos Roversi. Secretary Napolitano signed an aviation security agreement with Minister Zamora that will strengthen the capability of both nations to combat transnational crime and improve citizen security through enhanced information sharing while continuing to facilitate lawful travel and trade.

Yesterday, Secretary Napolitano traveled to Mexico City and Guatemala City to meet with her international counterparts and discuss opportunities for further collaboration. Secretary Napolitano will continue to Panama tomorrow, where she will participate in bilateral meetings and deliver remarks at the Integrated Border Management Seminar in Panama City.

For more information, please visit www.dhs.gov.

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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

GUATEMALA CITY—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner David Aguilar, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton and Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Alan Bersin today traveled to Mexico City and Guatemala City to meet with their international counterparts and discuss the United States government’s efforts in facilitating trade and travel, enhancing information sharing and working to ensure a more safe, secure and resilient global supply chain.

"The threats we face increasingly cross international boundaries, and strong international partnerships are critical to the region’s security," said Secretary Napolitano.  “We are committed to working with our Central American partners to facilitate legitimate trade and travel while securing and managing our borders.”

In Mexico City, Secretary Napolitano, Acting Commissioner Aguilar, Director Morton and Assistant Secretary Bersin met with Mexican Secretary of Finance and Public Credit José Antonio Meade and Secretary of Governance Alejandro Poiré. During their meetings, Secretary Napolitano and Secretary Meade signed agreements reaffirming the commitment of both nations to facilitate legitimate trade and cargo and enhance information sharing. Secretary Napolitano and Secretary Meade also issued a joint statement underscoring the two countries’ shared commitment to securing the global supply chain. Secretary Napolitano then met with Mexican Secretary of Governance Poiré to discuss efforts in combating human trafficking, terrorism and transnational crime, and signed an agreement to increase collaboration on the repatriation of illegal immigrants in the United States to Mexico.

Secretary Napolitano, Acting Commissioner Aguilar and Assistant Secretary Bersin then traveled to Guatemala City where they met with Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina, Foreign Minister Harold Caballeros, Minister of Defense General Ulises Anzueto, Minister of Government Mauricio Lopez Bonilla and National Security Advisor Ricardo Bustamente. Secretary Napolitano signed an aviation security agreement with the Guatemalan officials that will strengthen the ability of both nations to combat transnational crime and other threats through enhanced information sharing while facilitating travel and international commerce.

Secretary Napolitano will continue to the El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama on Feb. 28-29, where she will participate in bilateral meetings and deliver remarks at the Integrated Border Management Seminar in Panama City.

For more information, please visit www.dhs.gov.

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