Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled a set of commitments on Monday to tackle the underlying causes of irregular migration from Guatemala. This came during her meeting with the newly sworn-in President Bernardo Arévalo at the White House.
During Monday’s bilateral meeting, Vice President Harris highlighted her leadership in addressing the root causes of migration from northern Central America. For the past three years, she has been spearheading the administration’s efforts and has developed a comprehensive strategy called the “Root Causes Strategy.”
Arévalo expressed his belief that the meeting today demonstrates the ongoing strong support from the United States for their efforts in preserving democracy, enhancing public institutions, combatting corruption, and promoting economic prosperity and sustainable development that benefits all Guatemalans.
The plan consists of five parts, where the vice president advocates for the United States to prioritize “investing in economic development” in Guatemala and “combating corruption and promoting good governance.”
The last three pillars focus on upholding human rights and labor rights, reducing violence, and addressing gender-based violence.
During a press briefing on Monday, Harris emphasized that this work is not only enhancing the lives and livelihoods of people in the region but also addressing the root causes that compel individuals to migrate to the United States.
According to Harris, the Root Causes Strategy has made a significant impact in various areas. It has enabled approximately 63,000 farmers to enhance their production and income. Moreover, it has reached out to nearly 3 million youth, providing them with primary and secondary education. The strategy has also played a crucial role in training over 18,000 police officers and nearly 27,000 individuals to strengthen judicial systems. Additionally, it has offered support to numerous labor and human rights activists across the region.
The United States is set to provide Guatemala, a country with a population of over 17 million, with an additional $170 million in economic support. This support will be allocated towards security assistance, economic development, and health initiatives. The vice president emphasized the importance of this aid in promoting the overall well-being and progress of Guatemala.
Vice President Harris recently announced a groundbreaking $50 million partnership with the Department of State’s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. This initiative is designed to enhance the rule of law within security and justice institutions.
In collaboration with the U.S. Peace Corps, Harris has unveiled the establishment of the Central American Service Corps. This innovative initiative aims to involve approximately 3,000 vulnerable youth who are at the highest risk of migration by introducing them to a wide range of programs designed to encourage them to stay in their home country. According to the White House, the CASC has the potential to reach up to 25,000 young Guatemalans within the next five years.
The Central America Forward stakeholders, a public-private partnership, have also announced their contribution.
The White House announced on Monday that the CAF has successfully generated over $5.2 billion in private sector commitments for El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. This includes the recent announcement of $1 billion in new commitments.
According to the White House, the investments made by the private sector in the region have already resulted in the creation of over 70,000 jobs. Additionally, more than 1 million people have received skills training, while over 2.5 million individuals have been incorporated into the formal financial economy. Moreover, these investments have also facilitated internet connectivity for more than 4.5 million people.
U.S. officials are scheduled to visit Guatemala in the upcoming months with the aim of providing assistance in the areas of clean energy and infrastructure development. Their objective is to facilitate private sector operations and promote sustainable economic growth. Additionally, they will focus on expanding commerce by advocating for workers’ rights and offering technical support to boost foreign trade. Furthermore, they will support “climate smart” agriculture initiatives as part of their efforts.
In addition to partnering with USAID to promote and protect conservation efforts in Guatemala, the two nations are working together to advance women’s rights through the launch of a legal reform fund project. This project aims to alleviate barriers that women face when seeking employment and includes other initiatives focused on supporting women. Furthermore, $1.5 million will be allocated to assist marginalized communities, ensuring that public policies are inclusive and promoting greater accountability to public interests.
After the vice president’s meeting, President Joe Biden had a conversation with President Arévalo to express his congratulations on his recent inauguration. The two leaders engaged in a discussion about the significance of good governance and effective migration management, emphasizing the importance of upholding democracy. The White House reported these details.
President Arévalo is preparing to host the upcoming Los Angeles Declaration for Protection and Migration Summit, focusing on addressing irregular migration. The summit is scheduled to take place later this spring.
