Guatemala passes property seizure law to fight gangs

GUATEMALA CITY, (Reuters) – Guatemala’s Congress yesterday passed a bill that would allow the government to  confiscate property from convicted criminals in a bid to target  the wealth of powerful drug traffickers. The impoverished Central American nation is struggling to  contain the expansion of drug cartels into its territory as  Mexico’s army-led battle against traffickers pushes gangs to  southward, buying up land and recruiting locals.

The bill, which was passed after months of debate during  which some lawmakers allegedly were threatened, will allow the  state to use, donate or auction goods seized from convicted  criminals, according to lawmaker Mariano Rayo.

“We achieved a concrete and specific expression that this  country will not tolerate the expansion of organized crime,”  Rayo told Reuters. “Finally, we put in a dike against  corruption.” President Alvaro Colom supported the bill, which also beefs  up requirements for registering businesses in order to deter  money laundering operations. He is expected to sign it into law  soon.