[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 115 (Thursday, July 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4565-S4566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 767--COMMEMORATING 175 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS 
        BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE REPUBLIC OF GUATEMALA

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

                              S. Res. 767

       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

[[Page S4566]]

     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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