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In a thirty minute press conference at the House Of Culture this morning, she explained why Belize and the United States are natural allies:..

Maria Otero, US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights
"My visit represents the priority that President Obama and Secretary Clinton have for our bi-lateral relationship in partnership with Belize."

"Our belief is in the United States, and this is why we have sent myself as a high level official, is that our partnership with Belize is a very important one and is one that we value a great deal. My presence here serves to re-enforce that and to be able to also address future ways in which we will continue working together."

"We are also natural allies, with vigorous democracies, with diverse immigrant populations and a shared commitment to building a peaceful prosperous future for our citizens. It is also an opportunity to recognize and to speak to the people of Belize about the high quality election that was just held in this country that was considered fair and credible and transparent throughout the world."

"I have been impressed by the caliber of so many of our dedicated public officials working hard in ministries hand in hand with the members of civil society to tackle some of the most difficult challenges that is facing Belize today. From corruption to gang violence to creating economic opportunity for all the members of the Belizean society."

"The United States is pleased that Prime Minister Barrow has prioritized these issues for the second term of his administration, and we look forward to working together to tackle these complex challenges with concrete advancements and results."

"Our bi-lateral collaboration has resulted in significant achievements. The Belize Coast Guard has been an excellent partner with the United States. It has put US donated training and equipment to good use."

Otero's office is responsible for coordinating U.S. foreign relations on civilian security issues across the globe, including democracy, human rights, trafficking in persons, counter-narcotics, global criminal justice, and countering violent extremism. The counter-narcotics profile put her in the hot-seat today after a weekend summit in Guatemala, where President Otto Perez Molina proposed the decriminalization of the consumption and transshipment of drugs.

Belize's Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington told us that will never work without a green light from the US, and today, Undersecretary Otero made it clear that, right now, the light is locked on red:

Maria Otero, US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights
"Our sense of that meeting is certainly our own position which continues to be the position that we have held. Is a position that does not believe that de-criminalizing drugs is the proper approach to dealing with it."

"This is the position that the United States has held and will continue to hold."

In her time here, Otero met with senior government officials including the police minister, as well as the human Trafficking Task Force and select NGO representatives, including UNIBAM's Caleb Orozco.

As you may have heard, the issue of human rights for Lesbian, Gay and Transgender persons is a global priority for the Obama administration - but today Otero said, the issue is not tied to support from the United States.

Maria Otero, US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights
"We see sexual orientation is one factor that we consider has to be respected. That is the core of what we believe that issue needs to be looked at in the context of human rights."

"There is no way in which the aid that United States is providing is conditioned by decision. Again, if one looks at the principle freedom that we have all signed on; your country and my country, which emerged from the very important declaration of the human and note that those human rights extend to all of the principle freedoms those individuals, need to have."

"That for us is the point of departure in addressing this concern."

Otero also visited the Yabra Community Policing Center.