Marines land in Guatemala

Approximately 200 US marines are in Guatemala providing operational assistance to Guatemalan authorities in order to disrupt drug trafficking through the region.

Human Rights activists in Guatemala said Friday that a joint anti-drug operation between U.S. Marines and the nation's army threatens to revive memories of rights abuses during Guatemala's 1960-1996 civil war.

A team of 200 U.S. Marines began patrolling Guatemala's western coast this week as part of a joint agreement to catch drug shipments.

"Rural communities in Guatemala are fearful of the military being used to combat drug traffickers because the same techniques are applied that were used in contra (counterinsurgency) warfare," said rights advocate Helen Mack, executive director of the Myrna Mack Foundation. "The historical memory is there and Guatemalans are fearful of that."

We should all be concerned about the arrival of US marines to Guatemala. However, Guatemala doesn't have the military equipment needed to tackle drug trafficking. They supposedly have about a half dozen helicopters and boats to tackle drug trafficking. 

Guatemala doesn't have enough military or police given a country of its size and criminal problems. They are increasing their numbers and training but look to be years away from what it is needed.

The US can't send a significant amount of money or weapons to modernize and/or add to its fleet. US legislation prevents that because of the military's history of human rights abuse and ongoing problems with corruption and abuse.

The US and international community are already investing millions in a variety of development and aid projects throughout the country. The US and international community are supporting CICIG.

What should the US and Guatemala do? Lift the prohibition on weapons shipment to Guatemala or send US troops to help? I imagine that this is the best of the choices available.