The below is attributable to Spokesperson Jessica Jennings:
Administrator Samantha Power led the United States Presidential Delegation to Guatemala January 14-15 for the inauguration of President Bernardo Arévalo.
While in Guatemala, Administrator Power and the U.S. delegation met with President Arévalo and expressed support for the Guatemala people who made their voices heard and tirelessly defended their democracy. The Administrator emphasized President Biden’s and Vice President Harris’s strong support for the Guatemalan people and continuing to strengthen the U.S.-Guatemala relationship. President Arévalo and Administrator Power agreed to work closely on shared strategic priorities for advancing economic prosperity, security, and democratic governance.
During her visit, Administrator Power and the delegation also met with the new Minister of Labor Miriam Roquel to discuss collaboration opportunities under the Root Causes Strategy to create good jobs and opportunities for Guatemalans to invest in their own communities. They also discussed working together to expand legal labor pathways, including temporary work visas, and the importance of shared efforts to enhance labor rights. Administrator Power and the delegation also met with leaders from civil society and indigenous representatives to discuss their priorities during the new Arévalo administration.
Following the delegation’s meeting with President Arévalo, Administrator Power launched a new Feed the Future rural financial inclusion program that aims to help rural Guatemalans better access financial services. This program contributes to the U.S.’s economic development efforts under Central America Forward, specifically to build capacity in small- and medium-sized enterprises and assist them to access financing for new investment.
She also announced the State Department’s plans to launch, within the Arévalo administration’s first 100 days, programs to support women entrepreneurs and disrupt illicit trafficking, as well as a forthcoming High-Level Economic Dialogue with Guatemala.