Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei’s recent disclosure has brought attention to the lack of communication between him and Vice President Kamala Harris on immigration issues. The last known conversation on this matter occurred in June, leaving Guatemala’s requests for assistance in enhancing border security largely unanswered, according to Kevin Lopez Oliva, the spokesperson for Guatemala’s president, as reported by Fox News on January 12, 2024.
Despite Vice President Harris being appointed by the Biden administration in March 2021 to lead efforts in addressing the root causes of migration from Central American countries, including El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, the focus seems to have shifted away from Giammattei’s appeals for security assistance. This shift is evident in the administration’s emphasis on creating more streamlined pathways for individuals to reach the U.S., as conveyed by Lopez Oliva.
Although the Biden administration claimed success in generating over $3.2 billion in investments in Central America and an additional $956 million in private-sector commitments, the frustration from Guatemala persists. Initiatives such as the establishment of “regional processing centers” in Colombia and Guatemala, announced in April to assist migrants in legally coming to the U.S., have not alleviated the perceived neglect.
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The last public discussion by Vice President Harris on the immigration issue was on February 6, following the administration’s announcements. The latest phone conversation between President Giammattei and Vice President Harris focused on celebrating the functioning of immigration processing centers in Guatemala, as described by Lopez Oliva.
As President Giammattei’s term concludes next week, the unresolved issues and communication gaps between the two nations pose a challenge for the Biden administration’s immigration strategy. The revelation raises questions about the effectiveness of the administration’s approach in addressing the root causes of migration, highlighting concerns about the perceived imbalance between facilitating legal pathways and strengthening border security.
In the broader context of the ongoing immigration debate in U.S. politics, the strained relationship with Guatemala underscores the complexity of managing international partnerships to address challenges at the southern border.
