MADRID, 16 (EUROPA PRESS)
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo have agreed to strengthen their security collaboration with a new migrant repatriation protocol. They have also announced, along with the Prime Minister of neighboring Belize, John Briceño, the beginning of studies to expand the Maya Train to both Guatemala and Belize.
"Mexico and Guatemala are willing to work together to protect people who travel through our territories, our fellow citizens who are abroad, and our fellow citizens who are returning. For the Guatemalan government, this protection is a top priority," the Guatemalan president declared in a joint press conference with Caudia Sheinbaum.
The Mexican president has emphasized the protection of people and human rights in talks with Guatemala, asserting that both governments "walk parallel paths" to defend the dignity of "those who need it most."
In this regard, the two Latin American countries will resume their high-level security group in October to combat organized crime and drug trafficking along their border. "Both governments have collaborated closely for decades to combat the common threat of transnational organized crime," Bernardo Arévalo stated.
Tripartite Agreement with Belize
In a press conference just a few hours later, together with the Prime Minister of Belize, the three countries announced an agreement regarding the Mayan Rainforest that includes both the protection of its biodiversity and the expansion of the Mayan Train through both Guatemala and Belize.
The agreement involves the protection of nearly six million hectares with the goal of preserving the diversity found in the "second most important nature reserve" on the American continent.
"We are committed to cooperating to promote the sustainable use of the forests and to conserve them, protecting the human and cultural rights of the indigenous communities in this territory, and working together to respond to common threats," the Guatemalan politician stated.
