SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS EXCLUSIVE: A Conversation with Guatemala's President, Dr. Alejandro Giammattei (SPANISH SHOW)
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Guatemala’s President Alejandro Eduardo Giammattei skipped the Summit of the Americas this week, and we wanted to know why. The conversation did not disappoint. Jason and President Giammattei talked about transnational crime, human trafficking, and fending off foreign meddlers such as Communist China. Despite these regional challenges, President Giammattei's bigger problem these days, or nuisance, seems to be our own country and an army of NGOs, many funded by US taxpayers and Europeans, hell-bent on making trouble for the President and his allies in Guatemala. Why?
For starters, President Giammattei is staunchly pro-life and a law-and-order leader. He defends Guatemala's sovereignty fiercely and is not afraid to poke Uncle Sam if necessary. Yet it's clear President Giammattei wants to be a partner, not an adversary, and he continues to work with the US despite the unfounded political attacks by certain Biden administration officials.
In March, in another exclusive GLA podcast, Jason spoke with Guatemala Attorney General Porras about alleged corruption allegations against her by the US government that led to her being sanctioned. If someone was trying to destroy her re-appointment chances, the joke is on them. She was re-appointed by the President. President Giammattei has a clear vision of where he wants to take his nation and, perhaps, become a thoughtful and focused voice for the region. The US and Guatemala need to work closely, not at odds, and it appears certain Biden administration officials are allowing ideological disagreements to get in the way of good policy for America and the Americas.
On this podcast, GLA President and Counsel Jason Poblete continue to unmask the many issues stewing in this important Central American nation. President Giammattei stressed the importance of working with American partners, building markets, defending property rights, and the right to life, combating transnational crime, pushing back on China meddling in the Americas, and even reforming the inter-American system (he's making news on this last point, be sure to listen!).
Further Reading
- US Relations With Guatemala, Bilateral Relations Fact Sheet, US Department of State
- President Alejandro Giammattei, Presidency of Guatemala website (foreign government website).
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