Guatemala (Washington Insider Magazine)—Foreign ministers from twenty American countries will meet in Guatemala on Tuesday to explore coordinated strategies for managing the ongoing migratory crisis. The meeting, hosted by Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, will include notable speakers such as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Coordination of Strategies
President Arévalo stated that the meeting’s main goal is to coordinate methods for handling the migratory phenomena in a collaborative and integrated manner. According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, Blinken will shed lights on progress made over the last two years and identify potential cooperative efforts to improve humane migration management.
Challenges and Pressures
According to France24, the United States sees approximately 2.8 million irregular migrant entries annually, placing significant pressure on President Joe Biden, particularly in light of the upcoming November elections. Biden has faced criticism from Republicans, led by his rival Donald Trump, who accuse him of inaction regarding the issue.
Regional Concerns
Central America is also dealing with an influx of hundreds of thousands of migrants, predominantly Venezuelans, crossing the Darien jungle to reach the United States. This migration surge creates security challenges for Central American countries and needs the deployment of resources to assist migrants. Similarly, South American countries such as Colombia, Peru, and Chile face issues as a result of Venezuelan migration.
Multilateral Engagement
The participating countries in the conference have signed to the Declaration on Migration and Protection, highlighting a commitment to collaborative efforts in managing migration. This initiative was established with the framework of the 2022 Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles.
Bilateral Relations
The meeting also reflects the evolving relationship between the United States and Guatemala since Arévalo assumed office in January. Blinken’s recent discussions with Mexican and Guatemalan foreign ministers signal efforts to develop a joint proposal for the conference.
Concrete Measures Needed
With over half a million migrants, predominantly Venezuelans, crossing the Darien jungle in 2023, there’s an urgent call for concrete measures to address the crisis. Marcela Ríos of International IDEA stresse the necessity for tangible commitments and budgets, rather than mere declarations of intent.
Complexity of Migration
Experts warn against simplistic solutions, stressing that punitive measures and physical barriers alone cannot deter migration. A comprehensive approach involving all countries and international organizations is deemed necessary to address the multifaceted nature of the issue.
Skepticism and Future Concerns
Some analysts are skeptical about the effectiveness of the conference and fear that progress could be undermined if Trump returns to office. They argue that migration pressures will continue if underlying economic and social factors are not addressed.
Call for Northern Support
Ríos stresses the importance of Northern countries in contributing to financing programs aimed at tackling the root causes of migration, namely the social and economic crises in Latin American countries. Such support is seen as crucial to alleviating migratory pressure in the long term.
