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News > Latin America

Argentina to Open FBI-Backed Intelligence Center

  • .S. President Barack Obama (R) and Argentine President Mauricio Macri speak before Obama’s departure from San Carlos de Bariloche for Buenos Aires, March 24, 2016.

    .S. President Barack Obama (R) and Argentine President Mauricio Macri speak before Obama’s departure from San Carlos de Bariloche for Buenos Aires, March 24, 2016. | Photo: Reuters

Published 31 March 2016
Opinion

The FBI will help Argentina “establish a nationwide network of Intelligence Fusion Centers to detect and disrupt terrorism and organized crime.”

After years of tension between Washington and Buenos Aires, the new Argentine government of President Mauricio Macri has opened its doors to U.S. meddling in internal affairs and as part of this new bilateral relation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will assist the South American country in opening an intelligence center after an agreement was struck during President Barack Obama’s visit to the Latin American nation last week, El Telegrafo reported Thursday citing press releases from both governments.

RELATED: Kerry Welcomes 'Restoration' of US Relations with Argentina

Little information was divulged from either government although the White House says the FBI will help Argentina’s Ministry of Security “establish a nationwide network of Intelligence Fusion Centers to detect and disrupt terrorism and organized crime.”

“The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has taken steps to normalize its relationship with its Argentine counterpart and signed a memorandum of understanding that will help increase cooperation to combat money laundering and terrorist financing,” the White House statement continued.

The two presidents also agreed that the U.S. will aid Argentina in its crackdown on drug trafficking which Macri declared as one of the country’s most severe problems. U.S. authorities will look to “reduce drug demand, train Argentine officials at the International Law Enforcement Academy,” the White House said in a statement.

WATCH: Argentina: Tens of Thousands Demand Justice and Reject Obama's Visit

As teleSUR reported on Wednesday U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry welcomed Argentina's "restoration" since the election of Mauricio Macri as the country's new president and said he looked forward to collaboration on the economy, energy, climate change, trade and regional issues.

Kerry was speaking at the start of talks with his, Susana Malcorra, Argentina’s foreign Relations Minister of Argentina at the State Department.

"President Macri has defined very clearly that Argentina has to insert itself into the international arena to play the role it has historically played," Malcorra told Kerry.

"We feel that the United States is a key partner in that and we plan to have a serious, predictable and intelligent relationship with you,” Malcorra added. 

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