On April 3, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Uruguay’s Ministry of the Interior formalized a new memorandum of cooperation aimed at strengthening joint efforts against organized drug crime in Uruguay and the wider region.
The signing took place at DEA Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. The agreement was signed by DEA Principal Deputy Administrator George Papadopoulos and Uruguay’s Minister of Interior Nicolas Martinelli Waksman. The ceremony was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay Heide Fulton and Uruguayan Ambassador to the United States Andrés Augusto Durán Hareau.
According to officials, this memorandum builds upon an already established partnership between the DEA and Uruguayan law enforcement agencies that has included trainings, information-sharing, and collaborative investigations. The new agreement is designed to expand these activities further.
"The MOC seeks to further expand the exchange of information between the two countries on ongoing and emerging drug threats and trafficking activity. Under the MOC, the United States and Uruguay intend to increase information-sharing on drug trafficking trends, routes, and tactics to more effectively target the criminal networks operating in the region, combat drug-related money laundering, and stem the flow and availability of dangerous drugs that threaten communities across the globe," according to a statement from those involved in drafting the memorandum.