US (Washington Insider Magazine)—Vice President Harris continues to spearhead the Root Causes Strategy, aimed at tackling the underlying factors driving irregular migration from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The strategy focuses on enhancing living conditions in these countries to dissuade individuals from feeling compelled to leave their homeland.
Comprised of five pillars, the strategy targets issues related to governance, security, and the economy. These pillars include preventing and countering violence, advancing human and labor rights, combating sexual and gender-based violence, addressing economic instability and inequality, and fighting corruption while bolstering democratic governance.
According to Whitehouse, through these initiatives, the people of Central America are presented with hope and opportunities, emphasizing the belief that their own communities hold the key to a safe and prosperous future.
The United States Government has unveiled plans to invest in Central America aimed at creating employment opportunities and addressing irregular migration, particularly in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.
Vice President Kamala Harris, along with the Alliance for Central America (PCA), revealed over $1 billion in new commitments as part of the Central America Forward (CAF) public/private partnership. Harris, spearheading this initiative, highlighted that these new commitments bring the total private sector investments since May 2021 to $5.2 billion.
These commitments involve 50 companies focused on fostering inclusive economic growth in the region. A representative stated, “The United States supports President Arevalo’s agenda, and this visit is an opportunity to help implement it and demonstrate our support for his work, which aims to provide hope and economic opportunity in Guatemala and reduce irregular migration to the United States.”
Immigration has emerged as a prominent issue in President Joe Biden’s and Vice President Harris’s 2024 re-election campaign, with Republicans accusing the administration of mishandling spikes in new immigrants crossing the U.S. border. The White House, in turn, accuses Republicans, led by presidential candidate Donald Trump, of obstructing a bipartisan bill aimed at tightening border enforcement.
The companies involved span various sectors such as finance, textiles, agriculture, technology, telecommunications, non-profit organizations, and manufacturing, according to a White House fact sheet.
“These investments are translating into tangible opportunities for families and communities through integrated supply chains in Central America and the United States, benefiting students, employees, entrepreneurs, and families,” the statement said.
Additionally, the investments aim to connect individuals with the digital economy, expand access to financing for small businesses, and provide training and education for young people and women.
Several companies have pledged support, including Banco Cuscatlan, committing over $30 million in El Salvador for financial inclusion initiatives. Corporacion AG plans to invest over $150 million in Guatemala to bolster production and distribution capacity, aiming to generate hundreds of jobs.
Ficohsa, a significant provider of financial services in the region, will increase lines of credit for small and medium-sized businesses, with a focus on those led by women. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, has committed to training youth, entrepreneurs, and small business owners in the three countries covered by the plan.
The initiative, initially launched as the “Call to Action” in May 2021 and later rebranded as Central America Forward, seeks to address migration through economic opportunities. Vice President Harris indicated that these efforts aim to create one million jobs in the region by 2032 and include six million people in the formal banking system by 2027.
Initially, Chobani, Davivienda, Bancolombia, Duolingo, Mastercard, Microsoft, and Nespresso joined the initiative, along with non-profit organizations and academic institutions. Later, other companies such as Target, Microwd, Columbia Sportswear Company, and Root Capital joined in investing in the region.
