The US State Department's undersecretary for the Western Hemisphere said Washington is focused on working with the new government of Bernardo Arévalo and promoting good relations with Guatemala.
GUATEMALA CITY –
The US government announced increased support for Guatemala. now that Bernardo Arévalo has taken office as president of the Central American country as part of strengthening bilateral relations.
The announcement was made by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power, who confirmed the launch of a financing and training program for people from rural populations, indigenous communities and women to access credit and start their business own company.
“In the coming years, we hope to help more than 100,000 farmers by funding $100 million to support agricultural communities in the country. President Arévalo and I are talking about how we can create more momentum on this front,” said the USAID director.
In addition, he noted that there will soon be a “high-level economic policy dialogue” to advance Vice President Kamala Harris’ “Central America Forward” initiative to reduce the root causes of migration.
Another form of assistance to the Central American country will be the expansion of the number of visas issued, said the members of the US delegation, who at a meeting with the new labor minister raised the expansion of this program already in place. Guatemala.
Also read: What role did political actors in the region play before the swearing in of Guatemala's new president?
Asked about the sanctions imposed on more than 300 Guatemalans, including more than 100 former lawmakers, U.S. Undersecretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols said the United States had used these tools to enforce compliance to ensure the rule of law and against those who have committed themselves to corruption. He added that they will continue to do so and that those who correct their actions in favor of democracy could even get their visas back.
Meanwhile, Power assured that he is not imposing a ruler but ensuring that democracy is respected: “We are not trying to impose our results on political processes. There are a number of principles that govern the support we provide and one of them is this. “Elections must be free and fair and that is why we are watching.”
The U.S. government officials said President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris believe that strengthened democracy and economic development go hand in hand, which is why they recognize the efforts of the Guatemalan people to demand respect for the democracy they once had This will become clear in the 2023 elections.
Democratic Congresswoman Norma Torres, who was born in Guatemala, assured that they want to support young people looking for opportunity and are therefore considering new ways to expand aid programs together with the US government.
The U.S. delegation also included Patrick Ventrell, Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy, Philip Gordon, Assistant to the President and Security Advisor to the Vice President, Katie Tobin, Deputy Assistant to the President, and Tobin Bradley, U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala.
The US announces additional funding for Guatemala after the new government takes office
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