Four challenges of Bernardo Arevalo’s government in foreign policy

Analysts believe that the new government led by Bernardo Arevalo has several foreign policy challenges for the next four years. This is based on diplomatic and trade relations with Nicaragua, Taiwan, Venezuela, and a territorial dispute with Belize.

Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez said Free Press That the country is a follower of multilateralism, that is why it is interested in maintaining relations with more than two states and, according to the minister, with geographically related nations.

“We are believers in multilateralism. We are such a small country that we believe in multilateralism and the basis of our action is respect for international law and all principles,” the Chancellor said.

Analysts say it is positive that President Arevalo is a career diplomat so he will address issues in a way that is beneficial to Guatemala. The four countries mentioned are territories of diplomatic importance and mark the line of action in international relations.

Along with the rest of the continent, the chancellor remarked that work would begin on relations with neighboring countries and would not be limited to the United States but also to Mexico and South American countries. He assured that foreign policy would be based on criteria beyond political issues.

“Besides that, of course, we look at it in geographic circles, not political. Relations with the United States, we have to look south, it’s almost always with the United States, but—we have to look south,” he added.

Belize

This year the Inter-American Court of Justice will issue a ruling on the territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala, marking the final stage of the litigation and both countries must comply. From there the maritime and territorial limits will be drawn.

Martinez assured that there is nothing more than following the decision of the Court of The Hague regarding the dispute, but that cordial relations with the neighboring country will be promoted, in the same way as it is done with other neighboring countries.

“Another way is to resume the agenda that was proposed with Belize in previous years, the same agenda that we have with the rest of the neighboring countries, Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador,” he announced.

In the transition process, with Martinez and Arevalo visiting Belize, this agenda will continue so the relationship will be very positive. The minister added that there are also some bilateral agreements on migration, enforcement of sentences, trade and environment.

The former ambassador, Roberto Palomo, believed that the ruling that would be handed down, would lead to positive developments in relations with Belize. Likewise, Luis Felipe Polo, an internationalist, said that the established agenda with the country is clear, ahead of relations in the Central American Integration System (SICA).

“A new ambassador is coming to Belize and a line that he -Arévalo- has also proposed that he works on commercial issues, action issues and drug trafficking,” commented expert Polo.

Nicaragua

Regarding Nicaragua, the vision for the chancellor is very clear, “We are governed by the principles of democracy, respect for the law and there are things that are not simply shared,” he clarified.

Along the same lines, analysts recalled that the President, after being elected, established a position of criticism of the situation in the neighboring country and they do not believe that this will change.

“He also specifically mentioned the issue of Nicaragua and I understand that he – Arevalo – wants to maintain a line in which he insists that Nicaragua should return to a democratic path to respect human rights,” Palomo said.

Venezuela

A positive change is predicted in relations with the South American country. The chancellor indicated his intention to resume relations at the consular level, this was indicated as a “remaining task” that had been discussed in the administration of Alejandro Giamattei, but not carried out.

“We are going to have relations with Venezuela and we will try to open a space in consular affairs with the aim of serving Guatemalan citizens in Venezuela and they, not us, will serve the Venezuelan citizens in Guatemala,” Martinez announced.

And he clarified that Guatemala has owned property for more than 20 years in the country where the consulate previously operated. He suggested that the issue may also be of interest to Venezuela, which has seen an increase in citizens transiting through Guatemala to the United States.

According to former Ambassador Polo, Guatemala has to evaluate the benefits of restoring trade relations with Venezuela. He added that the US also maintains trade with the country.

“It will be up to the new government to carefully analyze what the advantages and disadvantages of reestablishing new diplomatic relations with Venezuela will be, fundamentally from a point of view, as many countries have, from a commercial point of view,” he suggested. .

As for Palomo, we have to wait for the elections to be held in Venezuela this year, because if there is a change in power, the panorama will change.

Taiwan

Diplomatic and trade ties with Taiwan will continue, but Martinez did not rule out trade with mainland China, one of the world’s biggest exporters. That is, we will try to establish a purely commercial relationship with China, not a diplomatic one.

“We are going to continue to work with Taiwan, we are going to maintain diplomatic relations with them, but we cannot ignore China’s presence as an international power. So our idea is to approach them to establish some commercial link,” the Chancellor said.

In this context, the two experts emphasized that President Arevalo had made it known during the transition process that he would continue diplomatic relations with Taiwan. For his part, Polo recalled that China is interested in maintaining economic ties with Central America due to the region’s geopolitical importance.

“What China wants is an economic relationship on many levels and Central America is targeting economic development, not only for its own benefit, but also because of the geopolitical imbalance with the United States,” he explained.