U.S. Aid Promoting Social Justice in Latin America

Economic, security aid making a difference in Guatemala, Bush says

During his visit to Guatemala, President Bush highlighted U.S.-sponsored aid programs that demonstrate his administration's commitment to social justice for Latin America.

"Our two countries share many values," Bush said in a March 12 joint appearance with Guatemalan President Oscar Berger. "We both believe free enterprise and hard work help lead to prosperity, and we both believe our nations have a responsibility to spread opportunity and advance the cause of social justice."

Earlier in the day, Bush and Berger visited the city of Santa Cruz Balanyá. There, they met with U.S. troops and Guatemalan doctors delivering medical services to poor rural families as part of a medical readiness and training exercise sponsored by the U.S. Southern Command and the Guatemalan government.

Guatemala has hosted 11 medical readiness exercises in the past six years, which have delivered medical, dental and surgical care to over 83,100 people, as well as veterinary services for livestock, as part of a larger effort to strengthen the country's ability to respond to hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters.

Bush and Berger then traveled to Chirijuyu, where they toured Labradores Mayas, a business operated by 66 indigenous small-scale farmers who formed a cooperative to take advantage of the eased trade restrictions under the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement - Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR). (See Central American Free Trade Agreement - Dominican Republic.)

"Free trade is important to a lot of people," Bush told workers, "It's a gateway. It creates jobs in America as it created jobs here."

With $350,000 and training from the U.S. Agency for International Development in 2002, Labradores Mayas has expanded into a successful enterprise employing 207 people and generating $650,000 in sales in 2006 by selling lettuce and other produce to McDonalds and Wal-Mart outlets in Guatemala and neighboring Costa Rica, El Salvador and Honduras.

"You represent people who dream," Bush told dozens of workers. "You represent people who work hard and people who make wonderful products."

Expanded trade ties under CAFTA-DR, security cooperation to counter drug traffickers and immigration issues were the focus of Bush and Berger's later press conference.

"We're working together to improve access to education and health care to give Guatemalans a safe and legal path to jobs in the United States, and to lift millions of people out of poverty by expanding trade. The ties between our two countries have never been stronger or more important," Bush said.

Trade also topped the agenda in Bush's March 11 meeting with Colombian President Álvaro Uribe. Bush highlighted the free-trade agreement signed between the nations in November 2006, and reaffirmed support for Bogotá in its efforts under Plan Colombia to eradicate drug crops, interdict illicit shipments and prosecute traffickers. (See related article.)

From Guatemala, Bush will travel to Merida, Mexico, where he will meet with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and complete his seven-day trip to Latin America.

Source: U.S. Department of State

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