According to the British government on its official website, this “operation was formalized in a meeting between the Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, and Sir Philip Barton, head of the British Diplomatic Service.”
The news was released through the social networks of the British Embassy in Buenos Aires Kirsty Hayes . There it was reported that: “The government of the United Kingdom, through the National Agency Against Crime (NCA, for its acronym in English) donated to Argentina a series of equipment that will serve to reinforce the fight against organized crime.”
The agreement was formalized last Monday during a meeting between the Permanent Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development of the United Kingdom, Philip Barton , and the Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich .
Also attending the meeting were Pirate Ambassador Kirsty Hayes and Counter-Narcotics and Organised Crime Secretary Martin Verrier .
As reported by El Observador, Barton, who is the highest-ranking career official in the British Foreign Office and serves as head of the Diplomatic Service , “is visiting Argentina carrying out a broad agenda of activities and meetings with representatives of the government and civil society.”
The donation is part of the cooperation agenda agreed between the NCA and the Ministry of Security, which included the visit of a mission of the British agency to Argentina and other countries in the region at the beginning of this year.
The “generosity” of British colonialism towards our country included 4 Dell rugged laptops, 3 DJI M30T drones, 8 GL300 satellite trackers and 22 SPOT Track & Trace trackers. Of course, the Malvinas are not even mentioned.
Ambassador Kirsty Hayes said: “This cooperation comes within the framework of a broad positive agenda between Argentina and the United Kingdom. We share many common goals and interests, including the fight against organised crime” ; adding that: “Organised crime is a scourge that affects all countries and its fight therefore requires collaboration at a global level. It is often linked to the production and trade of illegal drugs, and as it spreads it can impact public safety and the integrity of public institutions. It is in the best interest of all that our countries succeed in eradicating this problem.”
It is worth noting that Barton 's visit and the "donation" comes a week after Todd Robinson , Assistant Secretary of State for Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, visited Uruguay and Argentina. On that occasion, Robinson spoke "about Washington's concern about the globalization of criminal organizations and the possible emergence in South America of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, which has wreaked havoc in the United States."
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