GUATEMALA CITY (AP) - Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina says he will propose legalizing drugs in Central America in an upcoming meeting with the region's leaders.

Perez Molina says in a radio interview that would include decriminalizing the transportation of drugs through the area.

He didn't mention Saturday when the next meeting with Central American leaders will be.

Perez Molina said he will bring the subject up with Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes when Funes visits Monday.

The Guatemalan president said the war on drugs and all the money and technology received from the U.S. has not diminished drug trafficking in the area.

He said drug cartels are to blame for the high rates of violence in Guatemala, which has a homicide rate of 45 per 100,000 people.