US secretary of Homeland Security visits Antwerp to discuss fight against drug smuggling
Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever received US secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem at the Port House in Antwerp on Wednesday morning. The visit focused on strengthening cooperation between Belgium and the United States in combating drug trafficking and other criminal networks.
Speaking to the press ahead of the meeting, De Wever underlined that the US requested the visit. “I see that as a sign of appreciation for the years of global lobbying I do,” De Wever said, noting his repeated visits to Washington and international institutions to push for stronger measures.
“I hope to make progress now, for example to force ports in South America and shipping companies to take more measures. You need the Americans to do that.”
Latin-American drug cartels
Noem and De Wever discussed ways of tackling the smuggling of cocaine through Antwerp. Noem is a close ally of US president Donald Trump, who has made fighting Latin-American drug cartels one of his priorities. The Flemish port is one of Europe’s main entry points for cocaine shipments from the region.
Following the bilateral talks, a broader roundtable brought together Belgian and American officials. Federal Justice minister Annelies Verlinden, Interior minister Bernard Quintin, and Asylum and Migration minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt, as well as Antwerp mayor Els van Doesburg, also took part in the discussions.
Later in the day, both delegations will issue a joint press statement. They will also tour scanning facilities displayed outside the Port House. The visit concludes with a helicopter flight over the port area.
#FlandersNewsService | Administrator General at FPS Finances, Customs & Excise Kristian Vanderwaeren, United States secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever. © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM / BELGA VIDEO MAARTEN WEYNANTS
Related news
