US Embassy in Guatemala criticizes legalizing drug

GUATEMALA CITY — The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala is criticizing President Otto Perez Molina's proposal to legalize drugs in Central America.

The embassy says Washington opposes such measures because "the evidence shows our shared drug problem is a threat to public health and safety."

An embassy statement on Sunday said that legalizing drugs wouldn't stop transnational gangs that not only traffic drugs but also people and weapons, as well as extorting and kidnapping people.

Perez Molina on Saturday said he will propose legalizing drugs in Central America in an upcoming meeting with the region's leaders. He gave no other details about his proposal.