Los Angeles Times, 2/13/12
Guatemala’s new president, Otto Perez Molina, has turned heads by suggesting he’d consider decriminalizing drugs as an answer to the violence besieging his Central American nation.
Perez Molina on Monday said he planned to raise the issue for debate after earlier proposing legal consumption and transportation of drugs across Central America. He said he wanted consensus among regional leaders first. The Guatemalan leader met with President Mauricio Funes of El Salvador, who was quoted as saying he also favored legalizing drugs.
“We’re bringing the issue up for debate. Today’s meeting is intended to strengthen our methods of fighting organized crime. But if drug consumption isn’t reduced, the problem will continue,” Perez Molina said, according to the Associated Press.
