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World > North America
> Guatemala > Relations with U.S. (Notes)
Guatemala - Relations with U.S. (Notes) |
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U.S.-GUATEMALAN RELATIONS Relations between the United States and Guatemala traditionally have been close, although at times strained by human rights and civil/military issues. U.S. policy objectives in Guatemala include: Supporting the institutionalization of democracy and implementation of the peace accords; Ratification of a free trade agreement, together with the other Central American countries; Encouraging respect for human rights and the rule of law, and implementation of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG); Supporting broad-based economic growth and sustainable development and maintaining mutually beneficial trade and commercial relations; Cooperating to combat money laundering, corruption, narcotics trafficking, alien-smuggling, and other transnational crime; and Supporting Central American integration through support for resolution of border/territorial disputes.
The United States, as a member of 'the Friends of Guatemala,' along with Colombia, Mexico, Spain, Norway, and Venezuela, played an important role in the UN-moderated peace accords, providing public and behind-the-scenes support. The U.S. strongly supports the six substantive and three procedural accords, which, along with the signing of the December 29, 1996 final accord, form the blueprint for profound political, economic, and social change. To that end, the U.S. Government has committed over $400 million to support peace implementation since 1997.
Violent criminal activity continues to be a problem in Guatemala, including murder, rape, and armed assaults against persons of all nationalities. In recent years the number of violent crimes reported by U.S. citizens has steadily increased, though the number of Americans traveling to Guatemala has also increased.
Most U.S. assistance to Guatemala is provided through the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) offices for Guatemala. USAID/Guatemala's current program builds on the gains of the peace process that followed the signing of the peace accords in December 1996, as well as on the achievements of the 1997-2004 peace program. The current program works to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives by focusing on Guatemala's potential as Central America's largest economy and trading partner of the United States, but also recognizes the country's lagging social indicators and high rate of poverty. The three areas of focus for USAID/Guatemala's program are modeled after the Millennium Challenge Account areas--ruling justly, economic freedom, and investing in people, and are as follows:
More responsive, transparent governance, through: Strengthened justice; and Greater transparency and accountability of governments.
Open, diversified, and expanding economies, through: Laws, policies, and regulations that promote trade and investment; More competitive, market-oriented private enterprises; and Broader access to financial markets and services.
Healthier, better educated people, through: Increased and improved quality of social sector (health and education) investments; and Increased use of quality maternal-child and reproductive health services, particularly in rural areas.
Principal U.S. Embassy Officials Ambassador--James Derham Deputy Chief of Mission--David Lindwall Political and Economic Counselor--Drew Blakeney Management Officer--Leo Hession Defense Attache--Col. Humberto Rodriguez Military Assistance Group--Col. Linda Gould Consul General--John Lowell Regional Security Officer--John Eustace Public Affairs Officer--David J. Young Drug Enforcement Administration--Michael O'Brien Agricultural Attache--Steve Huete Commercial Attache--Patricia Wagner USAID/G-CAP Director--Wayne Nilsestuen
The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala is located at Avenida la Reforma 7-01, Zone 10, Guatemala City (tel. [502] 2326-4000; fax [502] 2334-8477).
Other Contact Information U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration Trade Information Center 14th and Constitution, NW Washington, DC 20230 Tel: 800-USA-TRADE Internet: http://trade.gov
American Chamber of Commerce in Guatemala 5a avenida 5-55 zona 14 Europlaza, Torre I Nivel 5 01014 Guatemala City, Guatemala Tel: (502) 2333-3899 Fax: (502) 2368-3536 E-Mail: [email protected]
Caribbean/Latin American Action (C/LAA) 1818 N Street, NW, Suite 310 Washington, DC 20036 Tel.: 202-466-7464
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