Guatemala and UN launch scheme to fight organized crime
| Publisher | UN News Service |
| Publication Date | 17 March 2010 |
| Cite as | UN News Service, Guatemala and UN launch scheme to fight organized crime, 17 March 2010, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4ba338a71a.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The top United Nations drug and crime official and Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom oversaw the destruction of some 6,000 illegal firearms today at the launch of a national programme to fight organized crime in a country that has a gun for every 10 people.
"Corruption, poverty and poor criminal justice capacity make Guatemala extremely vulnerable to organized crime," said Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
"In turn, crime scares off investors and touristIn turn, crime scares off investors and tourists, deepening the under-development that attracts crime. It's time to break this vicious circle before it breaks Guatemala
