The presidents of the member countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) in a special reunion in Managua, Nicaragua, expressed their support to the Government of Guatemala, which passes through difficult times caused by groups linked to organized crime.
The leaders condemned the criminal acts in Guatemala and said that these acts seek to curb "social justice policies and strengthening of democratic institutions initiated by President Colom."
The President of El Salvador Elias Antonio Saca, said that these groups threaten democracy and the peace of the population. Saca said the presidents of the region have gone through situations similar to the one that happened to President Colom, and that they are a result of "conservative groups" opposed to change.
In the declaration signed on the 25th, the leaders expressed their "support and solidarity to the President of Guatemala, Álvaro Colom Caballeros, facing this destabilizing campaign, that organized crime groups and other sectors, who oppose the democratic progress taking place in Guatemala, are launching in order to stop the policy of social justice and the strengthen of the democratic institutions that this government has launched."
The Foreign Minister of Guatemala, Haroldo Rodas Melgar, expressed the appreciation on behalf of the Guatemalan Government for the support of leaders at the Summit.
The leaders also addressed the issue of the international financial and economic crisis. In this regard, the Chancellor Rhodes said: "The leaders have taken a very important decision, which is the result of previous meetings, to pay attention to the issue of social integration. ........There was also talk of imports of pharmaceutical products, generic drugs, so that countries can move forward together, this will give consistency in this moment of crisis and the crisis will force us to further integration."
They also announced their joint decision to ask the United States for changes in its immigration policy to benefit thousands of residents of the region in the U.S. "Migrating is a right, not a crime," said Manuel Zelaya, President of Honduras.
In the Declaration of the meeting a very important point was included that expresses the desire to establish "fair and respectful relationships" with the new government of the United States of America.
Picture: Foreign Ministry of Guatemala
