Secretary of State Anthony Brinken concludes his trip to Costa Rica, and Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to visit Central America.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Brinken urges Central American governments to take more measures to help contain Immigration To the United States, and Vice President Kamala Harris is preparing for her first trip to Guatemala and Mexico, aiming to reduce immigration from Central America.

Brinken said at a joint press conference with Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado on Tuesday that the United States wants to hear the joint commitment of partners in the region to manage immigration pressure.

“Good governance is essential to respond to challenges and seize opportunities, but we meet at a time when democracy and human rights in many parts of the region are undermined,” Brinken told reporters.

Brinken cited the erosion of judicial independence, the crackdown on independent media and non-governmental organizations, and the suppression of anti-corruption efforts to illustrate his point, and pointed out that the United States has also suffered its own setbacks.

U.S. President Joe Biden Has been under pressure to reduce the sharp increase in immigration U.S.-Mexico border Since taking office in January.

Brinken, who traveled to Costa Rica to hold talks with the leaders of Central America and Mexico, said that regional cooperation to resolve this issue is now more important than ever.

Many immigrants stay at the U.S. border, including Unaccompanied children, From three violent and impoverished Central American countries-Guatemala, Honduras and Savior -To this end, the United States promised to provide assistance in exchange for a commitment to improve local governance.

Concerns about corruption, cronyism, signs of authoritarianism, and efforts to prevent the appointment of judges with a track record have cast a shadow over this drive. Fight corruption.

On Wednesday, Brinken met privately with his Mexican counterpart Marcelo Ebrard and planned to visit an NGO that provides entertainment and education for children and families.

At the same time, Harris’s First trip To Guatemala and Mexico Her consultant said that the focus will be on areas such as economic development, climate and food insecurity, and women’s issues.

Senior consultant Simon Sanders told reporters on a conference call that Harris will land in Guatemala on Sunday and stay in the country until Monday night. Sanders said she will fly to Mexico on June 8, spend the day there, and then return to Washington, DC in the evening.

Her adviser said Harris will build on topics previously discussed with leaders in Guatemala and Mexico, such as ensuring border security and leading trade missions in the region.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ first visit to Guatemala and Mexico will focus on areas such as economic development, climate and food shortages, and women’s issues [File: Carlos Barria/Reuters]

March, Biden Entrust Harris With the lead efforts of the United States and Mexico, as well as the northern triangle countries such as Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, Improve conditions And reduce immigration from the region.

Since then, Harris has taken some measures, including talking with policy experts, members of Congress, and various stakeholders in the Northern Triangle.She also announced an additional 310 million U.S. aid To Central America.

The United States will send more border security officials to Guatemala to provide training in the country.

Majin Alfac, special adviser to the vice president of the Northern Triangle, said that the United States is still working to open the first of several centers to provide resources for Guatemalan immigrants.

These centers will provide services for people seeking legal immigration to the United States, as well as those in need of protection, asylum referral, and refugee resettlement.

Sanders said that Harris will also discuss “new crown pneumonia cooperation” with the two countries during his visit, but he did not disclose the details of whether it includes the sharing of vaccines.