Guatemala City, May 16 (PL-RHC) -- The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) is discussing methods for resolving the problem of drug trafficking, recognizing that the struggle against it, led by the United States -- the world's largest drug consumer -- has failed.

Authorities from the 33 country members participating at the First CELAC Ministerial Meeting on the Global Drug Problem, underway in Antigua, Guatemala, agreed on the need to find new strategies to prevent and combat drug trafficking.

"The fight against drugs should be carried out in a more human and social way," said Guatemalan president, Otto Perez Molina, who urged strengthening public health systems to address the consequences of this scourge, so that individuals are treated medically and not as criminals.

Guatemalan Interior Minister Mauricio López said his country is elaborating a proposal that it will present to neighboring countries El Salvador, Honduras and Belize in order to fight organized crime together, as is being done in Mexico.

Cuban Justice Minister María Esther Reus said Cuba's anti-drug strategy combines prevention and confrontation, and has produced positive results since 1988. Also, the strategy engages all sectors of society and mass organizations.