Photo: EZEQUIEL BECERRA / AFP / Getty Images
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, asked Central America for a greater commitment to democracy and human rights, while emphasizing the need to work together to solve the problems that cause migration.
Blinken held a meeting this Tuesday in Costa Rica with the foreign ministers of the Central American countries, Mexico and the Dominican Republic to address various issues, but especially migration and democratic stability.
Before the meeting with the ministers of the region, Blinken affirmed in a press conference after a meeting with the president of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, that as in other parts of the world, in Central America there have been “setbacks” in democratic principles and respect for human rights.
Without indicating any country in particular, asserted that expects from Central America a “renewal of the commitment” of the region towards the Inter-American Democratic Charter, especially with regard to respect for institutions, the rule of law, freedom of the press, among others.
Regarding the migration issue, the Secretary of State indicated that his country is committed to improve the asylum system and protection of migrants and that the Government of Joe Biden has a 4 schedule, 000 millions of dollars to support Central American countries over the next 4 years.
“It is important to address the roots of migration that cause people to leave their homes, their families, their communities and everything they know. We want a commitment from all of us to address these real causes “, he assured.
Blinken detailed that among those causes of the migration of Central Americans to the United States are corruption , insecurity, lack of governance, lack of opportunities, and gaps in the state of law, transparency and justice.
After the meeting of foreign ministers, which was held behind closed doors and without statements after The press, the Costa Rican Foreign Ministry issued a statement in which it celebrated the meeting and detailed that the topics of: migration governance, strengthening of democratic institutions and the fight against corruption, green, resilient and sustainable economic recovery were discussed. and access to covid vaccines – 19.
“It has been a valuable opportunity to be pragmatic and assume the priorities that demand They give the attention of
During the dialogue, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs agreed on the urgency of working together to address the causes of migration, and provide real opportunities for development and employment in the countries of origin. In this sense, they reaffirmed their commitment to orderly, safe and regular migration, indicated the Costa Rican Foreign Ministry.
They also highlighted the importance of reinforcing the fight against climate change, particularly in a region highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
“The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the member countries of SICA, Mexico and the United States agreed on the importance of the fight against corruption, the strengthening of democratic institutions and transparency, in order to achieve the economic reactivation of the countries of the region ”, says the official statement.
According to the information, Secretary Blinken reiterated the United States offer to make available 80 million vaccines against COVID – 19 globally, whose distribution plan is It is working with scientific and equity criteria, and not political ones.
The foreign ministers participated in the meeting: Eamon Courtenay (Belize), Alexandra Hill Tinoco (El Salvador), Pedro Brolo Vila (Guatemala), Lisandro Rosales Banegas (Honduras), Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon (Mexico), Denis Moncada Colindres (Nicaragua), Roberto Álvarez Gil (Dominican Republic), and the Vice Minister of Foreign Relations of Panama, Dayra Carrizo Castillero.
This is Blinken’s first visit to a Latin American country since taking office. The secretary has private activities scheduled before leaving Costa Rica on Wednesday.
Blinken highlighted the commercial and political ties between the United States and Costa Rica, and highlighted the joint work they have done on issues such as combating organized crime and drug trafficking, as well as projects
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