[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 767 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 767

  Commemorating 175 years of diplomatic relations between the United 
                 States and the Republic of Guatemala.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                July 11 (legislative day, July 10), 2024

   Mr. Cardin (for himself, Mr. Kaine, and Mr. Durbin) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Commemorating 175 years of diplomatic relations between the United 
                 States and the Republic of Guatemala.

Whereas January 31, 2024 marked the 175th anniversary of the establishment of 
        diplomatic relations between the United States and the Republic of 
        Guatemala;
Whereas Guatemala and the United States have shared strong bilateral relations 
        on issues of mutual interest, with a partnership grounded in respect, 
        shared democratic and anti-corruption values, the defense of human 
        rights, and the pursuit of economic prosperity and shared security 
        interests;
Whereas Ambassador Francisco Villagran de Leon, who passed away on May 18, 2024, 
        after 5 decades of professional service as a career diplomat, scholar, 
        and political activist, dedicated a significant portion of his 
        professional career to strengthening Guatemalan democracy and bilateral 
        relations between the United States and Guatemala;
Whereas Guatemalans and Guatemalan Americans residing in the United States have 
        enriched the United States social, economic, and political development, 
        which has allowed Guatemala's rich identity and heritage to become an 
        integral part of the cultural tapestry of the United States;
Whereas the United States and Guatemala, which have historically enjoyed strong 
        commercial and investment ties, have engaged in free trade since July 1, 
        2006, through the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free 
        Trade Agreement (commonly known as ``CAFTA-DR)'';
Whereas the United States, which is Guatemala's largest trading partner, 
        accounts for nearly 35 percent of Guatemala's foreign trade;
Whereas the United States and Guatemala have been strong partners throughout 
        multiple presidential administrations in both countries to address 
        irregular migration in the Western Hemisphere, including through--

    (1) safe third country agreements;

    (2) the establishment of the Safe Mobility Initiative and the opening 
of the first Safe Mobility Office in Guatemala;

    (3) being signatories to the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and 
Protection in June 2022; and

    (4) helping to implement the United States Strategy to Address the Root 
Causes of Migration in Central America;

Whereas Guatemala and the United States have partnered to combat corruption, 
        uphold the rule of law, and build strong democratic institutions, 
        including by supporting President Bernardo Arevalo's National Commission 
        Against Corruption;
Whereas President Arevalo was democratically elected in 2023, and through 
        concerted and sustained support by a wide swath of Guatemalan citizens, 
        including indigenous persons, pro-democracy activists and the Guatemalan 
        private sector, was inaugurated as president in 2024;
Whereas during his first 100 days in office, President Arevalo has demonstrated 
        a commitment to further deepen Guatemala's bilateral partnership with 
        the United States by--

    (1) reaffirming Guatemala's commitment to maintain shared global policy 
priorities, including through support to mutual democratic partners of 
Taiwan, Ukraine, and Israel;

    (2) demonstrating the political will to address the regional migration 
challenge by hosting the 2024 Third Ministerial on the Los Angeles 
Declaration on Migration and Protection;

    (3) sustaining a serious dialogue with a wide range of indigenous 
communities on resolving historical inequities and grievances of the large 
and diverse indigenous communities of Guatemala; and

    (4) following through on his commitment to address corruption across 
Guatemala's institutions by empowering Guatemala's National Commission 
Against Corruption;

Whereas journalist Jose Ramon Zamora, former prosecutor Virginia Laparra, and 
        indigenous activist Sofia Tot Ac have faced unjust harassment for their 
        advocacy against corruption and for indigenous rights in Guatemala;
Whereas Guatemala's principled support for Taiwan is resulting in economic 
        intimidation by the People's Republic of China, which was most recently 
        demonstrated by--

    (1) the People's Republic of China's denial of entry of at least 7 
shipping containers of macadamia nuts; and

    (2) Guatemalan traders being told that Guatemalan macadamia nuts and 
coffee would be denied entry only days after the attendance of Guatemala's 
Minister of Foreign Affairs at the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai 
Ching-te: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) commemorates the 175th anniversary of the establishment 
        of official diplomatic relations between the United States and 
        the Republic of Guatemala;
            (2) celebrates the contributions that Guatemalans and 
        Guatemalan-Americans have made in the United States;
            (3) recognizes the significant contributions made by 
        Ambassador Francisco Villagran de Leon to strengthening 
        bilateral relations between the United States and Guatemala and 
        preserving Guatemalan democracy;
            (4) reaffirms the long history of collaboration across 
        multiple presidential administrations in Guatemala and the 
        United States to collaborate to address mutual challenges in 
        our national interests;
            (5) urges the Government of Guatemala--
                    (A) to continue to work to find achievable 
                solutions to bring inclusive economic growth, address 
                ongoing security challenges, and build more accountable 
                and transparent institutions;
                    (B) to follow through on its commitments to address 
                the legitimate grievances of indigenous communities so 
                these communities feel included and empowered, and to 
                see tangible progress for the indigenous population in 
                Guatemala; and
                    (C) to ensure fair judicial proceedings for all 
                wrongfully targeted journalists and activists, 
                including Jose Ramon Zamora, Virginia Laparra, and 
                Sofia Tot Ac; and
            (6) calls on the United States Government--
                    (A) to enhance its efforts to counter economic 
                coercion of Guatemala from the People's Republic of 
                China due to Guatemala's continued recognition of 
                Taiwan, including through enhanced economic 
                partnerships, private sector engagement, and foreign 
                assistance;
                    (B) to strengthen foreign assistance aimed at 
                helping the Government of Guatemala ensure democracy 
                can deliver tangible improvements for all Guatemalans;
                    (C) to use all available tools at its disposal to 
                support Guatemala's efforts to combat widespread 
                corruption; and
                    (D) to ensure that migration management efforts are 
                focused on safe, legal, and humane strategies.
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