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SANTO DOMINGO.- The U.S. Southern Command’s Intelligence Unit will monitor the operations to fight and pursue drug trafficking in Dominican Republic, as part of a strategy that includes seven other nations of the region.
Dominican Republic accepted Washington’s offer of a “far reaching support” in the war on drug trafficking, after president Leonel Fernandez met with Southern Command chief Douglas Fraser in the National Palace on Sunday.
According to sources quoted by eldia.com.do, Washington pledged support to Fernandez in the fight against drugs and as part of that plan would establish an Antinarcotics War Coordination Center, whose headquarters would be in Dominican Republic or one of the Central American countries.
“We are committed to work with the Dominican Republic and our neighbors to assist with our security challenges and obtain our vision for the future of a safe and stable America for our citizens,” the senior officer said after the meeting with the chief executive.
For more than one hour Fernandez and Fraser discussed topics ranging from drug trafficking and military training, to cooperation in infrastructure and health.
In a statement posted on the Presidency’s website then, the Government affirmed that the United States will also support the fight on drug trafficking in Panama, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, the source for an estimated 80 percent of the narcotics that enters its territory.
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S.
If-you-think-DR-has-a-serious-Drug-Problem- Check out the link above.
In "Central-America-The-tormented" The Economist Magazine takes a hard look at the goings on in the region. The Mexican cartels and Colombian ones are hard at work in the region with devastating results for the peoples of the region. The amounts of cold cash are monumental and corruption is reaching systemic levels in almost all the states of the region.
Also all baggage of passengers coming off planes to be searched.
US needs to have good drug rehab centers.
In Europe it is far tougher to get a container through ports.
S.
The Global Drug Trade needs the consuming nations to take a more realistic stance: Marijuana and some other recreational drugs need to be legally sold and taxed. Prohibition ain't working and will not work. All it does is drive the price up and the fuel the demand. SO have it produced in the consuming nations, prices will drop like a stone, provide jobs domestically, and tax revenues to boot. Only the criminal gangs and their enablers in government and society will be left crying.
Hey! I know we have a drug problem here and lots needs to be done in an attempt to clean it up, but what bothers me is in "reading between the lines" of the above quotes. I am worried about the "unintended consequences" when the US Government says stuff like “far reaching support"!! Wouldn't you like to know what that means in full? You look (read) at the free trade agreements and it is not so much about free trade as it is about monitoring YOUR money flow, investments and bank accounts in the name of "Money Laundering" and the so called war on drugs. etc. For the ex-pats here I would say be real aware. Some of us came here to get out from underneath all that Government intrusion into our private lives. In many Latin American countries, financial institutions won't even talk to you about opening an account being an ex-pat of the US. To many reporting requirements are forced on them.
You point to a developing situation among the large ex-pat community. It use to be that the resources of the entire community amounted to very little and the US government wasn't too much interested in pursuing cases except for clearly large money ones. But things have changed and will continue to do so for a good time to come as more and more people join the wave to less financially demanding lands close to the USA. Many Dominicans aren't aware that once they are US citizens, the equity or other financial resources that they control in DR ARE SUBJECT TO IRS RULES. And in many cases real money is involved! So get ready for the coming IRS tax as these governments modernize their systems of operation. Of course, the advent of a cashless society will be the real end all scenario. But that's still a little ways off. Enjoy it while it last.
How about the US monitoring the Dominicans?
With the "new rules" coming down this / next year, the best I can tell is that your "Foreign Bank" will be required to report your account to the US treasury ONLY if it exceeds or is equal to 10K.......So...whats to stop me from having multiple accounts? Oh we are getting into trouble here! I do know that you are to "Volunteer" the information when you file. I do know that your DR property IS safe from tax..unless you are making money on it!
This is a pretty good read. Maybe requires a whole different thread on the subject. I am not rich or involved in illegal activity.....I just want them out of my way...left alone thank you!! Sheesh.
Respectfully,
http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/Issues/2010/Aug/20102736.htm
Let me tell you Botemon, there are many people who fall under the terms being implemented. The 50K threshold is very low for many people. How many people own homes/businesses or Condos and are renting them out? How about land or Fincas? Of course, this is all over the region and will affect many overall.
But that US deficit has to be put into some balance, no?
SNIP>> But that US deficit has to be put into some balance, no?
Oh yes! When we get the feds off of their addiction to overspending...which will not happen anytime soon. A subject for another day I suppose. Right now I just need to look out for, and protect my own interest. (No pun intended).
I hear ya mon!
Respectfully,
S.