For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today met with Honduran President Porfirio Lobo Sosa to discuss aviation and maritime security, and information sharing between the United States and Honduras.
"The United States and Honduras have a shared interest in protecting the security of the region and combating transnational crime," said Secretary Napolitano. "We are committed to working collaboratively to increase information sharing capabilities and strengthen aviation and maritime security standards to facilitate legitimate travel and trade."
During the meeting, Secretary Napolitano also discussed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) efforts with their Honduran counterparts to combat human trafficking and smuggling, and the bilateral cooperation with Honduras on the Advance Passenger Information Sharing (APIS) initiative—a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program designed to enhance border security through the collection and review of passenger information.
DHS also currently works with the Honduran government through a transnational criminal investigative unit operated by ICE to fight drug trafficking, transnational gangs, organized crime, and related violence in a joint effort to enhance border security. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard continues to collaborate, train and operate with the Honduras Naval Force to counter maritime threats in our waters.
In July, Secretary Napolitano hosted a multilateral meeting in Washington where she joined participating officials from Mexico and various Central American countries including Honduras to sign a regional letter of intent, highlighting enhanced support of regional security cooperation and increased information sharing.
For more information, visit www.dhs.gov.
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