Minister chosen to tackle Guatemalan crime

Guatemala's new interior minister, Byron Barrientos, says he will change key personnel in the police, prison and immigration services in order to tackle the country's rising crime rate.

Mr Barrientos, a former army officer, told the BBC that he aimed to increase the efficiency of police operations.

President Alfonso Portillo, whose government has been criticised for its failure to stem violent crime, appointed Mr Barrientos as part of a government reshuffle on Sunday.

Human rights groups have expressed their concern over Mr Barrientos' links to General Efrain Rios Montt, a former military ruler blamed for human rights abuses during the country's civil war.

But Mr Barrientos denied any involvement in what he called dirty crimes.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service