There have been no fugitives extradited by the GOG to the US since the 1995 extradition of an American citizen wanted on narcotics charges, despite a number of US requests. The USG has no mutual legal assistance treaty with Guatemala. The newly appointed and energized staff is actively engaged in the demand reduction effort. US Policy Initiatives and Programs Policy Initiatives. The major US policy objective is to cooperate with and support the civilian law enforcement agencies tasked with narcotics interdiction, eradication, and prosecution.
Institutional reforms are underway in the DOAN, and elements of the judicial branch.
Additional emphasis must be placed on manual eradication, public awareness programs, and USG support to GOG counternarcotics agencies to prevent Guatemala from returning to the ranks of significant opium producers. In September, the USG and the GOG signed letters of agreement on counternarcotics cooperation. In these agreements, the GOG committed itself to increase funding and staffing for public security functions, including narcotics control. The Road Ahead. In 1997, Guatemala will be at peace for the first time in 36 years.