The Biden administration is stepping up diplomacy to stop migration from Climate News

Secretary of State Antony Blinken makes a trip to Costa Rica while VP President Kamala Harris prepares to visit Central America.

US Secretary of State Antony Blink calls on Central American governments to do more to help sustain immigration While Vice President Kamala Harris is preparing for his first trip to Guatemala and Mexico, with the goal of reducing migration from Central America.

In a press conference with Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado, Blinken said Tuesday that the U.S. wanted to hear from regional partners about their shared commitment to managing migratory pressures.

“Good governance is key to meeting the challenges of the moment and seizing opportunities, and yet in many parts of the region we come together at a time when democracy and human rights are weakening,” Blinken told reporters.

Blinken cited the erosion of judicial independence, crackdowns on independent media and NGOs, as well as suppressed anti-corruption efforts to express his views, and noted that the US has also had its own setbacks.

Joe Biden President of the United States it has come under pressure to reduce the high growth of immigration US-Mexico border since he took office in January.

Blinken, who traveled to Costa Rica to conduct talks with Central American and Mexican leaders, said the regional cooperation was more important than ever to address the issue.

Many immigrants stayed at the U.S. border, among them children traveling without adults, Are three violent and impoverished countries in Central America – Guatemala, Honduras and The Savior – to this end, the US has pledged support in exchange for commitments to improve local governance.

This push has been blurred by concerns about corruption, colonialism, signs of authoritarianism and efforts to block the appointment of judges. tackling corruption.

On Wednesday, Blink met privately with his Mexican counterpart, Marcelo Ebrard, and planned to visit a non-governmental organization that provides recreational and educational activities for children and families.

Meanwhile, Harrisena first trip To Guatemala and Mexico advisers said it will focus on areas such as economic development, climate and food insecurity, and women’s issues.

Harris will land in Guatemala on Sunday and remain in the country until Monday evening, senior adviser Symone Sanders said in a conference call to reporters. He will then travel to Mexico on June 8 and spend the day before returning to Washington in the afternoon, Sanders said.

Harris will address issues previously discussed with Guatemalan and Mexican leaders, such as securing the border and leading regional trade missions, his advisers said.

Vice President Kamala Harris ’first trip to Guatemala and Mexico will focus on areas such as economic development, climate and food shortages, and women’s issues. [File: Carlos Barria/Reuters]

In March, Biden Harris ordered US main efforts with Mexico and Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador in the Northern Triangle improving conditions and lower migration from the region.

Harris has taken steps to talk to, among others, political experts, members of Congress and various actors in the countries of the Northern Triangle. He also announced an add-on $ 310 million in U.S. aid Central America.

The U.S. will send more border security officials to Guatemala to provide training in that country.

The U.S. is working to open the first of several centers to provide resources to Guatemalan migrants, said special adviser to Vice President of the Northern Triangle Mazin Alfaqih.

The centers will provide services to people seeking legal migration to the U.S., as well as those in need of protection, asylum routing, and the resettlement of refugees.

Harris will discuss “COVID cooperation” with the two countries on his trip, Sanders said, adding that he did not share details about whether he would include sharing vaccines.