• About Us
  • Who Are We
  • Work With Us
Saturday, April 12, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Globe Post
39 °f
New York
44 ° Fri
46 ° Sat
40 ° Sun
41 ° Mon
No Result
View All Result
The Globe Post
No Result
View All Result
Home Featured

Guatemala Court Blocks Signing of Migration Deal With US

Staff Writer by Staff Writer
07/15/19
in Featured, Refugees, World
Guatemala's President Jimmy Morales

Guatemala's former President Jimmy Morales. Photo: AFP

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Guatemala’s constitutional court has granted an injunction blocking President Jimmy Morales from signing a controversial deal with the United States that would oblige the Central American country to welcome migrants, at least in the short term.

Morales, who was under pressure at home not to seal the deal, called off White House talks with Donald Trump set for Monday hours before the court’s ruling late Sunday.

The meeting in Washington was pushed back due to “speculation” about the signing of a possible deal and to await the decision of the court on legal actions filed over it, the Guatemalan government said in a statement.

Late Sunday, the constitutional court granted a provisional injunction to prevent Guatemala from becoming a “safe third country.”

The court’s ruling indicated any such agreement should first be approved by lawmakers.

As a “safe third country,” any migrants entering its territory on the way to the United States would be obliged to remain in Guatemala while they attempt to seek asylum.

U.S. law allows people to seek asylum no matter how they get to the U.S. — unless they pass through a “safe third country” first.

But:
– There is no legal definition of how countries are classed as “safe”
– Canada is the only country that ever signed a “safe third country” deal pic.twitter.com/uTEwcrGWF5

— AJ+ (@ajplus) July 15, 2019

Some U.S. media reports suggest the terms of the deal, if the Trump administration gets its way, could prevent most migrants from ever seeking asylum on American soil.

“There was something concrete to sign, but public pressure was key to ensuring that this aberration did not occur,” said political analyst Luis Linares.

Many migrants from Honduras and El Salvador cross Guatemala, one of the poorest countries in Latin America, to reach Mexico on their route to the U.S. border.

On Monday, the Trump moved to ban asylum for migrants crossing Mexico to the border.


Large-Scale Opposition 

The Guatemalan government had announced Morales’ visit last week, saying it would touch on immigration and security issues, but never offered details about what he and Trump would discuss.

Guatemalan officials did acknowledge that talks on a “safe third country” agreement were underway, leading to swirling speculation.

Those opposed to such a deal say they do not want Guatemala to become a major destination for migrants heading to the U.S., especially given that Guatemalans are often among those making the journey.

Former foreign minister Edgar Gutierrez told the daily El Periodico that the deal would have made Guatemala “the biggest concentration camp in history.”

The deal has already been rejected by the two candidates vying for Guatemala’s presidency next month, who said the deal would provoke a humanitarian crisis, as the country is not equipped to welcome large numbers of migrants.

Center-left former first lady Sandra Torres will face off against conservative candidate Alejandro Giammattei on August 11 for the right to succeed Morales in January.

In March, Trump’s administration suspended aid to the “Northern Triangle” countries of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras after the Republican leader said they were not doing enough to stem the flow of migrants to the U.S.


More on the Subject 

What Will it Really Take to Address the Root Causes of Migration in Central America?

ShareTweet
Staff Writer

Staff Writer

AFP with The Globe Post

Related Posts

A Black Lives Matter mural in New York City.
Opinion

Fuhgeddaboudit! America’s Erasure of History

by Stephen J. Lyons
April 2, 2025
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shake hands during a meeting in New York on September 25, 2019
World

Zelensky Says ‘Unpredictable’ Trump Could Help End War

by Staff Writer with AFP
January 2, 2025
US President Donald Trump inspects border wall prototypes
National

Trump Confirms Plan to Use Military for Mass Deportation

by Staff Writer with AFP
November 18, 2024
US President Donald Trump displays a sign saying 'Trump digs coal' during a rally.
National

Gore Says Climate Progress ‘Won’t Slow Much’ Because of Trump

by Staff Writer with AFP
November 26, 2024
Putin talks to Trump in Hamburg
Opinion

From Roosevelt to Trump: The Complicated Legacy of Personal Diplomacy

by Tizoc Chavez
November 15, 2024
California Senator Kamala Harris looks on during a rally launching her presidential campaign
National

Trump Telling ‘Lies’ and Insults on Abortion: Harris

by Staff Writer with AFP
September 11, 2024
Next Post
US President Donald Trump

White House Moves to Block Asylum for Migrants Crossing Mexico

US President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at the White House in Washington

Trump Doubles Down on 'Racist' Attacks on Progressive Congresswomen

Recommended

gold bars

Why Is Gold Reaching Record Heights?

April 11, 2025
US President Donald Trump

Some US Consumers in ‘Survival Mode’ as Trump Tariffs Arrive

April 9, 2025
Tens of thousands of protestors shut down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on Saturday, April 5, 2025, protesting the Trump administration's abuse of the separation of federal powers as well as the deep cuts to governmental services overseen by presidential advisor Elon Musk.

Tens of Thousands March in US Against Trump ‘Devastation’

April 7, 2025
US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing

Where Things Stand in the US-China Trade War

April 4, 2025
A Black Lives Matter mural in New York City.

Fuhgeddaboudit! America’s Erasure of History

April 2, 2025
Benjamin Netanyahu

What Is the ‘Qatargate’ Scandal Roiling Israel?

April 2, 2025

Opinion

A Black Lives Matter mural in New York City.

Fuhgeddaboudit! America’s Erasure of History

April 2, 2025
Bust of Deputy Rubens Paiva in the Chamber of Deputies

Democratic Brazilians Are Still Here

March 18, 2025
A woman from Guatemala

Dispatch From Central America

January 28, 2025
US President Donald Trump

Dear Trump Supporters: Is This the America You Wanted?

January 28, 2025
Putin talks to Trump in Hamburg

From Roosevelt to Trump: The Complicated Legacy of Personal Diplomacy

November 15, 2024
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Can the UN Human Rights Council Protect Rights While Abusers Sit at the Table?

October 28, 2024
Facebook Twitter

Newsletter

Do you like our reporting?
SUBSCRIBE

About Us

The Globe Post

The Globe Post is part of Globe Post Media, a U.S. digital news organization that is publishing the world's best targeted news sites.

submit oped

© 2018 The Globe Post

No Result
View All Result
  • National
  • World
  • Business
  • Interviews
  • Lifestyle
  • Democracy at Risk
    • Media Freedom
  • Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Columns
    • Book Reviews
    • Stage
  • Submit Op-ed

© 2018 The Globe Post