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Senior Officials from Mexico the US and Guatemala Gathered in Washington, D.C. marking a Historic Meeting to address Regional Migration Challenges
Senior Officials from Mexico the US and Guatemala Gathered in Washington, D.C. marking a Historic Meeting to address Regional Migration Challenges. The Discussions led by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Homeland Security Advisor Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall were joined by Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez, Interior Minister Francisco Jimenez and Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcenas.
In a Joint Statement the three Delegations Committed to a Trilateral Plan Focusing on addressing the Structural Causes of Migration. One key Element of their Strategy is to Expand access to Legal labor Mobility Pathways Offering a Strategic Response to the Migration issues in the Region. The Officials also Pledged to Strengthen joint law Enforcement Efforts, Collaboratively investigating and Prosecuting Human trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Networks. Additionally they Emphasized the importance of Upholding international Human Rights and Protection Standards at the Borders of the three Countries.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in a Morning Press Conference Highlighted the Growing Pressure from US Officials for Stricter Migration Control Measures including the Possibility of Closing the Border. President Obrador expressed Concern over such extreme Measures Emphasizing the Significant Economic Partnership between the two Nations.
The Urgency of these Discussions Comes amid Threats from US President Joe Biden to Shut the Border with Mexico, Responding to a Surge in migrants Crossing the Shared Border. January saw 176,205 Encounters with Migrants in the Southwestern Border Region a Decrease from December’s figure of 252,315 Encounters according to US Customs and Border Protection.
In addition to addressing Migration the three Delegations announced Plans to Promote investments in Guatemala aiming to boost Economic Opportunities as Part of a Comprehensive approach to the issue. The Commitment to Cooperative Solutions reflects the shared Responsibility of the Countries involved in managing the Complex Challenges Posed by Migration in the Region.
