The United States has announced an additional $170 million in aid to Guatemala aimed at health, development, and security projects to address the root causes of migration. During a visit to Washington, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo met with Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden to discuss migration, cooperation, and anti-corruption efforts. Harris emphasized the importance of combating corruption to reduce irregular migration and attract economic investment. Arévalo expressed gratitude for US support and reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption. Additionally, Arévalo sought assistance from the Organization of American States (OEA) for the upcoming judicial elections in Guatemala, highlighting the need for transparency and support in the selection process.

The U.S. government announced a $170 million aid package to Guatemala to address the root causes of migration, coinciding with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo's visit to Washington. Arévalo met with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden to discuss migration, corruption, and democracy. Harris emphasized the importance of combating corruption to reduce migration and attract investment. Arévalo expressed gratitude for U.S. support and reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption. Additionally, Arévalo requested the Organization of American States to oversee the election of judges in Guatemala's Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo and U.S. Under Secretary of State José W. Fernández engaged in a high-level economic dialogue to foster economic growth in Guatemala, focusing on governance, agriculture, renewable energy, investment, and remittances. The U.S. played a key role in Arévalo's inauguration, sanctioning individuals undermining democracy and halting cooperation programs during the presidential transition. Upcoming meetings include Arévalo with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. The U.S. has resumed USAID programs and is looking to expand financing, signaling a strong bilateral relationship.

The United States has pledged support for economic growth in Guatemala under the new presidency of Bernardo Arévalo. Key areas of collaboration include anti-corruption efforts, renewable energy investments, and leveraging remittances for local development. High-level meetings between U.S. and Guatemalan officials underscore a strengthened bilateral relationship, with significant U.S. involvement in Guatemala's recent political transition. Upcoming discussions will further address governance, democracy, and migration issues.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo emphasized that the country's economic growth and investment opportunities are heavily dependent on eradicating entrenched corruption. Speaking at a forum organized by the Americas Society/Council of the Americas and FUNDESA, Arévalo highlighted the need to strengthen political institutions and restore ethics in public administration. Guatemala ranks poorly on the Corruption Perception Index, and Arévalo's administration is working on legal reforms, infrastructure investment, and expanding health and education services. Despite U.S. support and increased cooperation funds, Arévalo faces challenges from the Ministry of Public Affairs, which is not aligned with his anti-corruption agenda.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo emphasized the necessity of eradicating corruption to achieve sustainable growth during a forum with business leaders. He outlined his administration's focus on reforming business laws, infrastructure, and expanding health and education services. The event, co-hosted by AS/COA and FUNDESA, highlighted the importance of strengthening political institutions and restoring public ethics. Despite challenges from the Justice Ministry and Attorney General Consuelo Porras, Arévalo remains committed to his anti-corruption platform. The U.S. has resumed financial aid to Guatemala, underscoring the significance of Guatemala-U.S. relations.

Guatemala is experiencing a significant number of forest fires early in the year, with 721 fires already accounting for 74% of the total recorded in 2023. The fires, exacerbated by El Niño and higher temperatures, have caused damage to agriculture and local fauna, particularly in the Sacatepéquez department. The majority of these fires are man-made, linked to traditional slash-and-burn agricultural practices. While the fire on the Volcán de Agua has been 95% controlled, the cause remains unknown. Governmental and academic institutions are working on fire prevention and management, with community involvement in firefighting efforts. International aid has also been sought, with Taiwan contributing $300,000.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president following a landslide election victory. His inauguration was delayed due to opposition attempts to undermine his authority, highlighting the challenges he faces in implementing reforms and addressing issues driving migration to the U.S. Arevalo replaces Alejandro Giammattei, whose administration was marred by corruption scandals. Despite opposition from established political parties and legal challenges from the attorney-general, Arevalo has taken office, aiming to reshape Guatemala's conservative-dominated political landscape.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president following a landslide election victory. His inauguration faced delays due to opposition attempts to undermine his authority, including actions by the attorney-general, an ally of former president Alejandro Giammattei. Arevalo has promised to implement sweeping reforms to address the cost of living and violence, which are key factors driving migration to the United States. Despite challenges, including a Supreme Court decision affecting his Semilla party's presence in Congress, Arevalo's election marks a significant shift in Guatemala's political landscape.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president after a chaotic ceremony delayed by congressional opposition. Arevalo, who won the elections by a landslide, aims to implement reforms and address the cost of living and violence. His predecessor, Alejandro Giammattei, did not attend the inauguration. Arevalo's transition faced obstacles from the attorney-general, an ally of Giammattei, and the Supreme Court's decision that affected the representation of Arevalo's Semilla party in Congress. Despite these challenges, international support for Arevalo's election victory remains strong.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president after a chaotic ceremony delayed by Congress's attempts to limit his authority. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, aims to implement reforms to address the cost of living and violence. His victory marks a significant shift in Guatemala's political landscape, traditionally dominated by conservative parties. Despite opposition from these parties and attempts by the attorney-general to obstruct his presidency, Arevalo has taken office, promising a new era for the nation.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption crusader, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president after a chaotic ceremony delayed by opposition in Congress. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, represents a progressive movement and aims to implement sweeping reforms to address the cost of living and violence. His predecessor, Alejandro Giammattei, did not attend the inauguration and has been associated with corruption scandals. Arevalo's party, Semilla, faces opposition from established political parties and holds only 23 of the 160 seats in Congress. The Supreme Court's decision to allow opposition lawmakers to maintain Congress leadership and classify Semilla members as independents has weakened Arevalo's position. Despite these challenges, international support for Arevalo's election victory has been voiced, including from the United States and several Latin American countries.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president after a chaotic ceremony delayed by congressional opposition. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, aims to implement sweeping reforms to address the cost of living and violence, which are driving migration to the U.S. He replaces Alejandro Giammattei, whose tenure was marred by corruption scandals. Arevalo's transition faced resistance from established political parties and the attorney-general, an ally of Giammattei. Despite legal challenges and Congress's attempts to weaken his party's influence, Arevalo urged supporters to celebrate in the capital, signaling a new era for Guatemala.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption crusader, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president after a chaotic ceremony delayed by congressional opposition. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, represents a progressive movement and aims to implement reforms to address the cost of living and violence. His predecessor, Alejandro Giammattei, did not attend the inauguration. Arevalo has faced opposition from established political parties, and the attorney-general, an ally of Giammattei, has attempted to hinder his transition. Despite challenges, including a Supreme Court decision that affected his party's representation in Congress, Arevalo's election victory has been supported by the United States and several Latin American countries.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption crusader, has been sworn in as Guatemala's president after a chaotic inauguration delayed by Congress opponents' attempts to weaken his authority. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, aims to implement sweeping reforms to address the cost of living and violence, which are key drivers of migration to the United States. He replaces Alejandro Giammattei, whose government faced corruption scandals. Despite opposition from established political parties and attempts by the attorney-general, an ally of Giammattei, to hinder Arevalo's transition, he has taken office amid supporters' celebrations and threats to storm Congress.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption crusader, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president after a chaotic ceremony delayed by congressional opposition. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, aims to implement sweeping reforms to address the cost of living and violence. His predecessor, Alejandro Giammattei, did not attend the inauguration. Arevalo has faced opposition from established political parties, and the attorney-general, an ally of Giammattei, has attempted to hinder his transition. The Supreme Court's decision to allow opposition lawmakers to maintain their leadership of Congress and force Semilla party members to stand as independents has weakened Arevalo's position in Congress. The United States and several Latin American countries have supported Arevalo's election win.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president following a chaotic ceremony delayed by congressional opposition. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, aims to implement reforms to address the cost of living and violence, which are driving migration to the U.S. He replaces Alejandro Giammattei, whose tenure was marred by corruption scandals. Arevalo has faced opposition from established parties and legal challenges from the attorney-general, an ally of Giammattei. Despite these hurdles, Arevalo's inauguration marks a significant shift in Guatemala's political landscape.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president following a chaotic ceremony delayed by congressional opposition. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, aims to implement reforms to address the cost of living and violence, which are driving migration to the U.S. He replaces Alejandro Giammattei, whose tenure was marred by corruption scandals. Arevalo has faced opposition from established parties and legal challenges from the attorney-general, an ally of Giammattei. Despite these hurdles, Arevalo's inauguration marks a significant shift in Guatemala's political landscape.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president after a chaotic ceremony delayed by opposition in Congress. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, replaces Alejandro Giammattei, a conservative politician mired in corruption scandals. Despite attempts by the attorney-general to hinder Arevalo's transition, including legal challenges against him and his party, Semilla, the inauguration proceeded. The United States and several Latin American countries have supported Arevalo's election victory.

Bernardo Arevalo was sworn in as Guatemala's president after a delayed inauguration caused by opposition attempts to weaken his authority. Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, faces significant challenges from established political parties and the attorney-general's office. His election is seen as a pivotal moment for Guatemala, promising reforms and addressing key issues like the cost of living and violence. The United States and several Latin American countries have called for respect for Arevalo's election win.

Bernardo Arevalo has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president amid significant opposition from established political entities. His presidency marks a pivotal moment for the country, promising sweeping reforms and tackling key issues like the cost of living and violence. Despite winning the election by a landslide, Arevalo faced numerous challenges from Congress and the attorney-general's office, which attempted to undermine his authority and transition. His leadership is seen as a progressive shift in Guatemala's political landscape, traditionally dominated by conservative parties.

Bernardo Arevalo was sworn in as Guatemala's president after a delayed inauguration caused by opposition attempts to weaken his authority. Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, faces significant challenges from established political parties and the attorney-general's office. His election is seen as a pivotal moment for Guatemala, with promises of sweeping reforms. The United States and several Latin American countries have called for his election win to be respected.

Bernardo Arevalo has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president amid significant opposition from established political entities. His presidency marks a shift towards progressive reforms and anti-corruption efforts, challenging the conservative dominance. Despite legislative and judicial obstacles, Arevalo's victory is seen as a pivotal moment for Guatemalan democracy. The transition has been marred by attempts from the attorney-general and opposition lawmakers to undermine his authority, highlighting the contentious political environment.

Bernardo Arevalo has been sworn in as Guatemala's president after a delayed inauguration due to opposition attempts to weaken his authority. Arevalo faces significant challenges, including legislative setbacks, as he aims to implement sweeping reforms and address issues like the rising cost of living and violence, which are key drivers of migration to the United States.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president amid significant opposition from established political entities. His presidency marks a pivotal shift in Guatemala's political landscape, promising sweeping reforms to address corruption, the cost of living, and violence. Despite winning the election by a landslide, Arevalo faced numerous challenges, including attempts by the attorney-general and Congress to undermine his authority. The inauguration was delayed due to legislative maneuvers and opposition, highlighting the contentious political environment.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president after overcoming significant opposition from Congress and the attorney-general's office. His presidency marks a pivotal shift in Guatemala's political landscape, traditionally dominated by conservative parties. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, aims to implement sweeping reforms to address the rising cost of living and violence, key factors driving migration to the United States. Despite legislative setbacks and attempts to undermine his authority, Arevalo's inauguration is seen as a new era for Guatemalan democracy.

Bernardo Arevalo was sworn in as Guatemala's president after a delayed inauguration caused by opposition attempts to weaken his authority. Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, faces significant challenges from established political parties and the attorney-general's office. His election is seen as a pivotal moment for Guatemala, promising sweeping reforms to address issues like the rising cost of living and violence. The United States and several Latin American countries have called for respect for Arevalo's election win.

Bernardo Arevalo was sworn in as Guatemala's president after a delayed inauguration caused by opposition attempts to weaken his authority. Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, faces significant challenges from established political parties and the attorney-general's office. His election is seen as a pivotal moment for Guatemala, promising sweeping reforms and addressing key issues like the cost of living and violence. The United States and several Latin American countries have called for his election win to be respected.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president amid significant opposition from Congress and the attorney-general's office. His presidency marks a pivotal shift in Guatemala's political landscape, promising sweeping reforms to address corruption, the cost of living, and violence. Despite winning the election by a landslide, Arevalo faces ongoing challenges from established political entities and legal obstacles, highlighting the contentious nature of his leadership transition.

Bernardo Arevalo has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president amid significant opposition from Congress and other political entities. His presidency marks a pivotal moment for Guatemala, with promises of sweeping reforms to address corruption, the cost of living, and violence. Despite winning the election by a landslide, Arevalo faces substantial challenges from established political parties and the attorney-general's office, which have attempted to undermine his authority and transition. The Supreme Court's recent decision further complicates his position by allowing opposition lawmakers to retain control of Congress.

Bernardo Arevalo was sworn in as Guatemala's president after a delayed inauguration caused by opposition attempts to weaken his authority. Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, faces significant challenges from established political parties and the attorney-general's office. His election is seen as a pivotal moment for Guatemala, promising sweeping reforms and addressing key issues like the cost of living and violence. The United States and several Latin American countries have called for respect for Arevalo's election win.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president amid significant opposition from established political entities. His presidency marks a pivotal shift towards progressive reforms in a nation historically dominated by conservative parties. Despite winning the August elections by a landslide, Arevalo's transition faced numerous legal and political challenges, including attempts to undermine his authority by the attorney-general and opposition lawmakers. Arevalo's leadership promises sweeping reforms to address the rising cost of living and violence, key factors driving migration to the United States.

Bernardo Arevalo was sworn in as Guatemala's president after a delayed inauguration caused by opposition attempts to weaken his authority. Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, faces significant challenges from established political parties and the attorney-general's office. His election is seen as a pivotal moment for Guatemala, with promises of sweeping reforms to address issues like the rising cost of living and violence. The United States and several Latin American countries have called for respect for Arevalo's election win.

Bernardo Arevalo has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president amid significant opposition from established political entities. His presidency marks a shift towards progressive reforms in a nation historically dominated by conservative parties. Arevalo's victory and subsequent inauguration faced numerous challenges, including attempts by the attorney-general and Congress to undermine his authority. Despite these obstacles, Arevalo's leadership is seen as a pivotal moment for Guatemala, with support from the United States and several Latin American countries.

Bernardo Arevalo has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president amid significant opposition and legislative challenges. His presidency marks a pivotal moment for the country, promising sweeping reforms and anti-corruption measures. Despite winning the election by a landslide, Arevalo faced numerous attempts to undermine his authority from established political parties and the attorney-general's office. The inauguration was delayed due to opposition maneuvers, highlighting the ongoing political struggle in Guatemala.

Bernardo Arevalo has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president amid significant opposition and legislative challenges. His presidency marks a pivotal moment for the country, promising sweeping reforms and anti-corruption measures. Despite winning the election by a landslide, Arevalo faces resistance from established political entities, including attempts by the attorney-general and Congress to undermine his authority. The Supreme Court's recent decision further complicates his position by allowing opposition lawmakers to retain control of Congress.

Bernardo Arevalo was sworn in as Guatemala's president after a delayed inauguration caused by opposition attempts to weaken his authority. Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, faces significant challenges from established political parties and the attorney-general's office. His election is seen as a pivotal moment for Guatemala, promising sweeping reforms. The United States and several Latin American countries have called for his election win to be respected.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president amid significant opposition from Congress and other political entities. Despite winning the August elections by a landslide, his inauguration faced delays due to legislative challenges. Arevalo, who aims to implement sweeping reforms and address key issues like the cost of living and violence, replaces Alejandro Giammattei, whose administration was marred by corruption scandals. The Supreme Court's decision to allow opposition lawmakers to retain control of Congress further complicates Arevalo's efforts to lead the nation.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption crusader, was sworn in as Guatemala's president after a delayed inauguration caused by opposition attempts to weaken his authority. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, faces significant challenges from established political parties and the attorney-general's office, which has tried to undermine his victory. Despite these obstacles, Arevalo's presidency is seen as a pivotal moment for Guatemala, with promises of sweeping reforms to address the rising cost of living and violence, key drivers of migration to the United States. The United States and several Latin American countries have called for respect for Arevalo's election win.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been sworn in as Guatemala's president after a delayed inauguration due to opposition attempts to weaken his authority. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, faces significant challenges from established political parties and the attorney-general's office, which has tried to undermine his victory. His inauguration was marked by legislative setbacks and opposition maneuvers, highlighting the difficulties he will face in implementing his reformist agenda.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president amid significant opposition from established political entities. His presidency marks a pivotal shift in Guatemala's political landscape, promising reforms and addressing key issues like the cost of living and violence. Despite winning the election by a landslide, Arevalo's transition faced numerous legal and political challenges, including attempts to undermine his authority by the attorney-general and opposition lawmakers.

Bernardo Arevalo was sworn in as Guatemala's president after a delayed inauguration caused by opposition attempts to weaken his authority. Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, faces significant challenges from established political parties and the attorney-general's office, which have tried to undermine his election victory. Despite these obstacles, Arevalo's presidency is seen as a pivotal moment for Guatemala, with promises of sweeping reforms to address the rising cost of living and violence. The United States and several Latin American countries have called for respect for Arevalo's election win.

Bernardo Arevalo was sworn in as Guatemala's president after a delayed inauguration caused by opposition attempts to weaken his authority. Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, faces significant challenges from established political parties and the attorney-general's office, which has tried to undermine his election victory. Despite these obstacles, Arevalo's presidency is seen as a pivotal moment for Guatemala, with promises of sweeping reforms to address the rising cost of living and violence, key drivers of migration to the United States. The United States and several Latin American countries have called for respect for Arevalo's election win.

Bernardo Arevalo was sworn in as Guatemala's president after a delayed inauguration caused by opposition attempts to weaken his authority. Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, faces significant challenges from established political parties and the attorney-general's office, which has tried to undermine his election victory. Despite these obstacles, Arevalo's presidency is seen as a pivotal moment for Guatemala, with promises of sweeping reforms to address the rising cost of living and violence. The United States and several Latin American countries have called for respect for Arevalo's election win.

Bernardo Arevalo was sworn in as Guatemala's president after a delayed inauguration caused by opposition attempts to weaken his authority. Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, faces significant challenges from established political parties and the attorney-general's office, which have tried to undermine his election victory. Despite these obstacles, Arevalo's presidency is seen as a pivotal moment for Guatemala, promising sweeping reforms and addressing key issues like the cost of living and violence. The United States and several Latin American countries have called for respect for Arevalo's election win.

Bernardo Arevalo has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president amid significant opposition and legislative challenges. His presidency marks a pivotal moment for the country, promising sweeping reforms and addressing key issues like the cost of living and violence. Arevalo's victory and subsequent inauguration faced numerous attempts to undermine his authority by allies of the outgoing president, Alejandro Giammattei, and the attorney-general's office.

Bernardo Arevalo has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president amid significant opposition and legislative challenges. His presidency marks a pivotal moment for the country, promising sweeping reforms and tackling key issues like corruption, cost of living, and violence. Despite winning the election by a landslide, Arevalo faces ongoing resistance from established political entities, including attempts by the attorney-general and Congress to undermine his authority and dilute his party's influence.

Bernardo Arevalo has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president amid significant opposition from established political entities. His presidency marks a shift towards progressive reforms and anti-corruption efforts in a nation historically dominated by conservative parties. Despite winning the election by a landslide, Arevalo's transition faced numerous legal and political challenges, including attempts by the attorney-general and Congress to undermine his authority. The inauguration was delayed but eventually proceeded, highlighting the contentious political landscape in Guatemala.

Guatemala's new leftist president, Bernardo Arevalo, faced a delayed inauguration due to opposition in Congress, highlighting the challenges ahead in his anti-corruption agenda. Despite limited support in the legislature, Arevalo's victory marks a shift in the political landscape, with promises to address discrimination, poverty, and migration drivers. U.S. President Biden offered support, while Arevalo seeks to reform institutions and has called for the resignation of the attorney general, an ally of the previous administration. The election of Semilla's Samuel Perez Alvarez as Congress president may reflect U.S. influence after visa restrictions on lawmakers.

The article discusses the severe environmental issue of plastic debris accumulating in the world's oceans and rivers, leading to the creation of garbage patches and floating islands of non-biodegradable waste. It specifically highlights one of the worst cases occurring off the coasts of Guatemala and Honduras in the Americas. The report is by journalist Harris Whitbeck, who provides an investigative look into this pressing environmental concern.

The article discusses the severe food scarcity issues faced by some of the poorest communities in the Western hemisphere, particularly in Central America. It highlights how prolonged droughts have led to widespread hunger in the region. The situation has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has stunted economic growth due to shutdowns. The article specifically mentions Guatemala, where out of a population of 16 million, 2.3 million people suffer from chronic malnutrition, and an additional million have become malnourished since the pandemic's onset. Harris Whitbeck reports from Guatemala, providing insight into the dire situation of food scarcity and malnutrition.

Ormat Technologies, Inc. has issued a statement in response to allegations made by Hindenburg Research LLC, a short seller that could benefit from a decline in Ormat's stock price. Ormat refutes the claims as inaccurate and misleading. The company highlights its commitment to ethical standards and its long-standing provision of clean renewable energy in various countries. Ormat also addresses the investigation of two company members' past activities, noting changes in compliance responsibilities and board member decisions. The company reaffirms its position as a leader in geothermal energy and its strategy for long-term success, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ormat's portfolio includes geothermal and solar power generation, as well as energy storage solutions, with a presence in multiple countries.

The article discusses the plight of thousands of families in Guatemala who lost their homes due to the devastating impact of two hurricanes, Eta and Lola. These natural disasters exacerbated the already dire economic situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. As a result, a significant number of migrants from Honduras and other Central American countries attempted to form a caravan to migrate to the United States in search of better conditions. The United Nations reported that around 5.5 million people were affected by the hurricanes, and international organizations have expressed concern that the situation could escalate into a humanitarian nightmare. Journalist Harris Whitbeck examines the towns from which these families are trying to migrate.

The article discusses the impact of the Trump administration's changes to the U.S. asylum system, particularly the Asylum Cooperation Agreement (ACA) with Guatemala. The ACA has resulted in the deportation of asylum seekers from Honduras and El Salvador to Guatemala, a country facing similar issues of violence, poverty, and corruption. The story is illustrated through the experience of a woman who fled MS-13 gang threats in El Salvador, only to be sent to Guatemala where her safety remains uncertain. Despite the U.S. pledging $47 million to support Guatemala's asylum system, the effectiveness and allocation of these funds are questionable. The article suggests that the underlying aim of these agreements is to deter migration to the U.S. by making the asylum process more difficult and less appealing.

The article reports on the situation at the Guatemala-Mexico border, where a migrant caravan from Honduras is attempting to reach the United States. Mexico has deployed its National Guard to enforce border security, a move influenced by U.S. pressure and President Trump's threats of import tariffs. The journalist observes multiple attempts by migrants to cross into Mexico, with varying responses from Mexican authorities, including registration requirements and deportations. Despite the obstacles, migrants continue to seek ways to cross, with some succeeding when border security is absent. The article highlights Mexico's tougher stance on immigration and the impact of U.S. policies on its southern border enforcement.

Hundreds of thousands of Central Americans, including residents of Nueva Esperanza, Guatemala, migrated to the United States last year due to extreme hardships such as poverty, drought, violence, and unemployment. Emilio Monzón, the deputy mayor of Nueva Esperanza, who is also ill and relies on family in the U.S., describes the dire situation where many men have left, potentially leaving only women behind. The dry conditions have severely affected their subsistence farming, and coyotes, or human smugglers, are actively promoting their services, offering discounts to migrants traveling with minors. The U.S. asylum process has been a draw, especially with rumors of being able to wait for asylum claims on U.S. soil. Local children are increasingly living with single mothers or grandparents as parents migrate, with some, like 13-year-old Juan Carlos, facing separation and detention in the U.S. Monzón himself considers migrating to the U.S. once he recovers from his illness.

Many children in Guatemala consider moving to another country a normal occurrence, with thousands attempting to flee to the US with their parents in search of work and a better life. Juan Carlos is one such child who was caught by border police, separated from his father, and imprisoned for seven months in the US before being sent back to Guatemala. Alex, a classmate of Juan Carlos, has a father working in the US and has not seen him for three years. Their teacher, Rolando, notes the difficulty these children face in concentrating at school due to their intense personal stories.