On behalf of the United States of America, I offer my sincere congratulations to the people of Guatemala as you celebrate the 204th anniversary of your independence.
The United States and Guatemala enjoy a strong and growing relationship based on a shared commitment to economic prosperity, regional security, and combating illegal immigration. Under President Bernardo Arevalo, Guatemala has welcomed home thousands of individuals repatriated from the United States and has also extradited many dangerous criminals in close cooperation with U.S. law enforcement. Guatemala continues to be a steadfast partner in the fight against drug smugglers and the cartels, which makes citizens of both our countries safer. That is why this year, our two governments signed historic arrangements to modernize strategic infrastructure, enhance migration management, and expand security cooperation. These arrangements exemplify how our over 175 years of bilateral relations have advanced security and created jobs in both nations.
As we mark this important occasion, we reaffirm our commitment to deepening the partnership between the United States and Guatemala. We look forward to building on our progress and continuing to stand together in pursuit of shared goals.
