In Mexico City, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas held discussions on Saturday with newly inaugurated Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, focusing on matters of regional migration, security, and economic development within the Central American nation.
The meeting, which took place during the Munich Security Conference, occurred against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny of Mayorkas’ leadership following a recent impeachment vote in the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives, centered on the administration’s handling of migrants at the southern border.
Expressing the importance of the bilateral relationship, Mayorkas underscored Guatemala’s pivotal role as a partner in various areas, including regional economic growth, migration management, and the fight against transnational crime. In a statement posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Mayorkas highlighted the multifaceted cooperation between the two nations.
The United States has been advocating for increased collaboration with Latin American allies like Guatemala to implement measures aimed at curbing northward migration flows. Additionally, efforts have been made to address the underlying causes driving migration from countries such as Guatemala, which witnesses significant emigration to the U.S. annually.
Despite a notable decrease in arrests by the U.S. Border Patrol in January, marking a 50% decline from the previous month’s record-breaking figures, immigration remains a pressing issue for the Biden administration and continues to resonate with voters ahead of the 2024 election.
Both Mayorkas and President Arévalo reiterated their shared commitment to addressing regional challenges in the Americas, emphasizing a collaborative approach towards enhancing security and promoting prosperity in the region. President Arévalo echoed these sentiments in a social media post on X.
The meeting also follows a tumultuous period for President Arévalo, a progressive leader known for his anti-corruption stance. Arévalo’s advocacy for transparency and accountability has garnered opposition from entrenched elites accustomed to benefiting from widespread corruption and impunity in Guatemala. The Biden administration has attributed these issues to contributing factors to migration.
President Arévalo and his Seed Party Movement have faced judicial scrutiny throughout his electoral campaign and subsequent presidency, raising concerns about democratic principles in the region. Responding to these developments, the Biden administration has imposed sanctions on numerous officials accused of undermining Guatemala’s democratic processes.
In a statement, Mayorkas reaffirmed the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to supporting Guatemala’s democracy and collaborating to advance the security and prosperity of the Americas.
