Kamala Harris asked to fight corruption in Latin America: “If it persists, it will be one step forward and three back”

The 51st Annual Washington Conference on the Americas takes place this Tuesday with interventions from senior U.S. government officials and leaders from across the Western Hemisphere, including Vice President Kamala harris.

The former senator’s speech highlighted the initiatives of the US government to support the region in the face of the pandemic and on migration issues, but stressed: “No matter how hard we try, we will not make significant progress if corruption persists. If it persists, it will be one step forward and three back“. In a message focusing on the three Northern Triangle countries (Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador), he noted: “Corruption breaks down institutions from within. It prevents children from being educated, business from progressing, from benefiting from fair trials ”.

“In the Northern Triangle, corruption prevents fulfilling the conditions to attract investment. Corruption inhibits property. The overall cost is estimated at 5% of global GDP, ”he added.

In late March, President Joe Biden ordered Harris to take charge of the humanitarian crisis on the border with Mexico, given the increase in arrivals of immigrant asylum seekers. “She is the most qualified person to do it (…). When she speaks, she speaks for me, ”Biden said.

The vice president explained that the aim was to improve living conditions in Central America so that people are not forced to leave their homes in search of better opportunities. “We want them to find hope in their homes, to tackle the fundamental factors and disasters that drive migration“.

The event provides a first opportunity for attendees to hear directly from the new Biden administration on its hemispheric political agenda and collaborative initiatives with regional partners to move the Americas forward in 2021 and beyond.

This year’s conference, titled “Democracy, Prosperity and Security: Restoring a Partnership for Sustainable Growth” and co-hosted by the State Department, will highlight the Joe Biden administration’s priorities towards continental politics and efforts to reaffirm and strengthen the United States. associations with the countries of the region.

“The strength of the United States depends on the strength of the entire Western Hemisphere. Our destinies are linked. This is especially true for Latin America, one of our main trading partners. Our relationship is complex and at times complicated. Latin Americans are writing their own history. It will depend on them. Our role is to read those words, take them and help as we can as they write their own next chapter, ”Harris said in his speech.

Subsequently, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, underlined the importance of economic and security alliances with the countries of the hemisphere. “They are essential to the US mission to protect the nation. We need each other, ”he said, reviewing support for Colombia’s protection program for Venezuelan migrants and the US Coast Guard’s efforts against illegal fishing.

On the question of immigration, he indicated that the ministry is working day and night to “rebuild the system” after the “dismantling” operated by the administration of Donald Trump. “Our vision of the immigration system is based on the fact that people should be treated with respect and dignity. It does not contradict respect for border control laws, ”he said.

The conference also includes the participation of senior officials of the United States government, such as the Secretary of State, Antony blink; the secretary of commerce, Gina Raimondo; the sales representative, Katherine tai; the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, Gregory Meeks; and the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Julie chung.

In addition, leaders from the Western Hemisphere are invited, such as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, Roberto Álvarez; the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia, José Manuel Restrepo; and the executive vice-president of the Inter-American Development Bank, Reina Irene Mejía.