Kamala Harris Virtually Meets With Guatemala's President as U.S. Sanctions Other Officials From the Country
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris promised to increase help on the northern triangle and a better migration approach. The commitment Harris made was after the virtual meeting of the vice president with Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei on Monday, Reuters reported.
Reuters noted that Harris' comment comes as she looks for a more "secure and humane" way of resolving the migration crisis at the U.S. border alongside Mexico. The virtual meeting between Harris and President Giammattei follows almost a month after President Biden tapped the vice president to lead the White House efforts in tackling the migrant children issues on the border.
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Guatemala's President and VP Kamala Harris' Virtual Meeting
Kamala Harris' comments marked an upgrade of her diplomatic efforts in addressing the root causes of migration from the northern triangle countries, Fox 40 reported. The vice president expressed the willingness of the Biden administration to collaborate in addressing the migrant issues.
"We want to work with you... in a way that will bring hope to Guatemala," said Harris in the virtual meeting. The vice president also highlighted that "there will be an opportunity for them [migrants] if they stay home."
The virtual meeting held on Monday marked the second conversation of Harris with Guatemala's president. Her first meeting with President Giammattei was on March 30, granting a sign of opportunity in building a partnership with the region.
Harris also mentioned the acute causes of the surge in migration, such as hurricanes, drought, and even the COVID-19 pandemic, during the virtual meeting. Meanwhile, not enough economic opportunity in the region and extreme weather conditions are two of the three root causes of migration mentioned by the vice president during her opening remarks.
"I believe that she would build a roadmap between governments... so that we can reach an agreement," said Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei.
Apart from the virtual meeting, Kamala Harris is also set to participate in a roundtable with the representatives from the Guatemalan community-based organizations on Tuesday virtually.
U.S. Sanctions Officials of Guatemala
Another root cause of migration mentioned by Kamala Harris in her meeting was corruption. The same day with the virtual meeting, the U.S. sanctioned two Guatemalan officials, as Washington presses several Central American governments on abolishing graft.
Gustavo Adolfo Alejos Cambara and Felipe Alejos Lorenzana was sanctioned for their role on corruption in Guatemala which was mentioned by U.S. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken in a release. Cambara is a current government official, while Lorenzana is a former government official.
"These sanctions support efforts by the people of Guatemala to end the scourge of corruption," said Blinken. The secretary of state also noted that the sanctions are a part of the commitment of the U.S. government in supporting the "improvements" in Guatemala's governance.
Blinken also noted that the two Guatemalan officials sanctioned "facilitated payments to congressional representatives and judges" as they attempt to manipulate the selection process for magistrates in both courts. The two did these to "secure favorable judicial rulings" that will protect Cambara in future corruption prosecutions.
The move was announced hours before the virtual meeting of Kamala Harris and Guatemala's president.
READ MORE: Kamala Harris Purposely Avoiding a Visit to U.S.-Mexico Border, Border Patrol Union Chief Says
WATCH: Vice President Harris Meets With Guatemala President to Discuss Migrant Surge - from Bloomberg Quicktake: Now
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