Barack Obama, U.S. president,announced yesterday new initiatives of border protection and public safety for Central America.

In a press conference after one-hour meeting at the Presidential Palace in San Salvador, Obama introduced the "Alliance for Citizen Security in Central America".

This initiative, considered to lay the groundwork for a "greater security and prosperity for many years in the future" consist of a contribution of $200 million from the US and other international partners as well as Spain and the European Union(EU).

The Salvadoran president said that the public safety "has been a key issue in this meeting," it is not just a problem for El Salvador, it's a problem that the whole region should face together.

The leaders agreed that the security problem must be solved not only by complying with the law but also addressing the root causes that drive crime and creating greater economic and social opportunities.

The $200 million it's aimed to support the safety efforts in the region, including tackling the social and economic forces that are embarking upon young people into crime.

"The emphasis will be placed to work with a "regional perspective," said Obama, who explained that Central American countries designed and decide how funds will be used for this initiative.

Obama also announced a new initiative for better border control, the Alliance for the Crossroads Partnership.

This initiave will allow the countries in the region to make the borders more efficient and safer, so that way they can encourage the safe trade and economic growth.

The announcement comes amid concerns about the growing presence of Mexican drug cartels in the "northern triangle" of Central America (Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala).