Guatemala Begins 100-Day
Plan
With the launching of a
rural development
project and special
operations, the new
Guatemalan government
started a 100-day plan
against poverty and
insecurity gripping the
country.
The program will cost
1.2 billion quetzals
(about $158 million) and
is aresponse to people's
most urgent needs and to
improve quality of life,
President Alvaro Colom
stated.
Three days after
assuming power, Colom
traveled to Ixcan, one
of the poorest and most
affected zones by the
36-year internal armed
conflict, where he
announced the delivery
of funds to cooperatives
for several projects.
The government also
predicts the creation of
a rural development
council, the extension
of services like
education and health to
distant zones, and the
concession of resources
so poor mothers can send
their sons to school.
As for security, over
500 police agents
started operations in
high crime areas of this
capital to eliminate
drug and weapon
shipments and people
trade.
National Police Civil
spokesman Faustino
Sanchez said that
vigilance and detentions
are consequences of
accusations against
citizens dedicated to
extortions and assaults
to urban buses.
In his inauguration
speech Monday, President
Colom announced a raging
war against the Mafias
and organized crime, and
promised starting a
process of change to a
social-democratic
government that fights
poverty, oriented to
those with less
opportunities. |
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