Photo: Courtesy of the Embassy of Canada

Last weekend concluded the visit of Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Maninder Sidhu, to Guatemala and Honduras, where he shared information on the protocol for handling returnees from United States and Mexicoamong other important challenges.

The diplomat met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mario Bucarowith whom he agreed to work together to promote democracy and human rights, as well as to advance the monitoring of issues of irregular migration and forced displacement.

Sidhu also held a meeting with the director of the Guatemalan Migration Institute (IGM), Stuart Rodriguezwith whom he visited the entity’s facilities and discussed issues related to humanitarian needs and infrastructure for return migration, especially for populations in vulnerable situations such as children
accompanied.

“We will continue to seek spaces to create the appropriate conditions that improve and strengthen the care of returning Guatemalans, both by air and land to our country”IGM said in a statement.

Throughout the trip, the Parliamentary Secretary highlighted Canada’s collaboration with Guatemala and Honduras to advance human rights and gender equality, amplify Indigenous voices and promote inclusive economic growth.

According to the Canadian Embassy in Guatemala, that country will continue “working with our regional and international partners to address regional challenges in our hemisphere”.

Stuard Rodríguez, director of the Guatemalan Migration Institute, told visitors about the process of attention that is provided in this center to compatriots sent back by air.