January 16, 2024

READOUT: CORREA ATTENDS INAUGURATION OF GUATEMALAN PRESIDENT BERNARDO ARÉVALO

Correa Joined the Official United States Presidential Delegation to Guatemala City, Guatemala

WASHINGTON — This weekend, Representative Lou Correa (CA-46), the top Democrat on the House Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee, and member of the House Immigration, Enforcement, and Security Subcommittee, joined the official United States Presidential Delegation to Guatemala City, Guatemala for the presidential inauguration of President Bernardo Arévalo.

In his role as Ranking Member of the House Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee, Ranking Member Correa has long fought for increasing regional partnerships between the United States and Central and South American allies to ensure the Southern border is safe, secure, and humane. He has introduced the Cooperation on Combatting Human Smuggling and Trafficking Act to increase the United States’ ability to combat human smuggling and trafficking throughout the region by working more with regional partners, and has spent the past year visiting pedestrian and commercial ports of entry across the U.S.–Mexico Border.

“This weekend, I witnessed the strength of the Guatemalan democratic process and the peaceful transition of power. The United States must stand alongside the Guatemalan people, and their democratically-elected government,” said Ranking Member Correa. “Guatemala is a key partner to the United States in the region, and plays an important role in addressing some of our most pressing regional challenges—from tackling the global refugee crisis to disrupting illegal narcotic trafficking.”

After a delay caused by Congressional political maneuvers, President Bernardo Arévalo was sworn in as President of Guatemala in the early hours on Monday, January 15th. Ranking Member Correa joined United States Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power, Representative Norma Torres (CA-35), Chargé d'Affaires for U.S Embassy in Guatemala City Patrick Ventrell, Ambassador-Designate Tobin Bradley, and other United States officials as part of the Presidential Delegation.

“We can only address regional challenges by working with our allies and partners in Central and Latin America.. A stronger, more secure, and economically-stable Guatemala will mean fewer migrants being forced to make the dangerous journey north,” Correa continued. “Addressing narcotic trafficking closer to production will also help quell the deadly effects of this trade in our own country. A strong partnership with our Central American neighbor is key to our national and regional security—and I will continue to be a staunch advocate for working with allies in our own neighborhood.”

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