Deputy Secretary Landau Meets Guatemalan Officials on Security Cooperation

State Dept Press Releases

Published March 19th, 2026

Detected March 20th, 2026

Summary

The U.S. Department of State issued a readout on a meeting between Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau and Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Martínez and Minister of Defense General Henry Saenz. The officials discussed cooperation on combating narco-trafficking, transnational criminal organizations, port security, and illegal immigration.

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This document is a readout from the U.S. Department of State detailing a meeting between Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau and Guatemalan officials, including Foreign Minister Carlos Martínez and Minister of Defense General Henry Saenz. The discussion focused on ongoing cooperation between the two nations to combat narco-trafficking and transnational criminal organizations, building on Guatemala's participation in the Americas Counter Cartel Conference. Key topics included Guatemala's response to gang-related violence, efforts to establish a centralized targeting center, reforms to modernize port security, and cooperation on countering illegal immigration.

While this document is primarily informational and does not impose new regulatory obligations, it highlights areas of bilateral cooperation that may be relevant for entities involved in international trade, security, or immigration compliance. It underscores the importance of strong democratic institutions and commitment to advancing security and the rule of law, signaling continued focus on these issues by both governments. Compliance officers should note the emphasis on intergovernmental collaboration in areas such as port security and counter-narcotics efforts.

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Home Office of the Spokesperson Press Releases … Deputy Secretary Landau’s Meeting with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Martínez and Minister of Defense General Saenz hide

Deputy Secretary Landau’s Meeting with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Martínez and Minister of Defense General Saenz

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

March 19, 2026

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Martínez and Minister of Defense General Henry Saenz. They discussed ongoing cooperation to combat narco-trafficking and transnational criminal organizations, building on Guatemala’s participation in the March 5 Americas Counter Cartel Conference at U.S. Southern Command.

Deputy Secretary Landau expressed appreciation for Guatemala’s effective response to recent gang-related violence, congratulated Guatemala on its efforts toward creating its first centralized targeting center, and welcomed efforts on reforms to modernize port security and cooperate on countering illegal immigration. Deputy Secretary Landau highlighted Guatemala’s important role in regional efforts to promote stability in Haiti and thanked Guatemala for its contribution to the Gang Suppression Force. Both sides affirmed the importance of strong democratic institutions and reiterated their commitment to work together to advance security, prosperity, and the rule of law for the people of both countries.