U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Guatemala for a gathering on efforts to combat rampant drug trafficking in Central America. The conference includes all seven of Central America’s presidents, as well as the presidents of Mexico and Colombia, leaders from Canada and Europe, and representatives from a number of global financial institutions. On Wednesday, Clinton said the United States will increase funding for regional drug war efforts by $40 million. Clinton also called on Central American countries to ensure wealthy citizens are paying their share of taxes.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: “The countries represented around here and the extraordinary leaders who are here on behalf of their countries must have the resources they require. Businesses and the rich in every country must pay their fair share of taxes and become full partners in a whole of society effort. True security cannot be funded on the backs of the poor.”

The militarized drug war in Mexico has pushed violent drug trafficking organizations into impoverished areas, particularly in the nations of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. Central America is now considered the most dangerous area in the world outside of an active war zone.