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WORLD NEWS Thursday 1 March 2018

Haley thanks Guatemala for help on Venezuela, Israel embassy

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — progress on tackling cor-
Washington’s U.N. ambas- ruption, gangs and drugs.
sador thanked Guatemala She met in the afternoon
on Wednesday for its sup- with Guatemala’s attorney
port in confronting Venezu- general and the head of a
ela over concerns about U.N.-sponsored commission
democracy and human investigating corruption in
rights in the South Ameri- the Central American na-
can nation. Speaking af- tion, both of whom have
ter meeting in Guatemala been instrumental in press-
City with President Jimmy ing graft prosecutions.
Morales, Ambassador Nikki Earlier, the ambassador
Haley expressed gratitude also thanked Morales for
for Morales’ “words and supporting President Don-
statements” about Vene- ald Trump’s controversial
zuela. “We have seen Ven- decision to move the U.S.
ezuela go from what was Embassy in Israel from Tel
a successful democratic Aviv to Jerusalem.
country to now being ruled Guatemala was one of
by an abusive dictator,” nine nations that sided
Haley said. “And we will with the United States in a
continue to join with Presi- U.N. vote condemning the
dent Morales in fighting for decision. Morales’ govern-
the human rights and the ment later announced it Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., left, walks with Guatemala’s President Jimmy Morales
abilities of the Venezuelan would also move its own after their meeting at the National Palace of Culture in Guatemala City, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018.
people to take back over diplomatic mission in Israel, (AP Photo/Luis Soto)
their government.” though it has not given a Morales met in Washington ald Trump, who at the time his support on the embassy
Officials loyal to Venezu- timeline for a move. in early February with Don- also expressed gratitude for move.q
elan President Nicolas
Maduro have scheduled
an earlier than usual presi- Panama:
dential election for April 22.
vantageous for Maduro’s Police in riot gear enter, leave Trump hotel
The move is seen as disad-

opponents, and most in
the opposition are refusing By JUAN ZAMORANO them later left. On Tuesday, rival teams of President Donald Trump’s
to participate unless mea- Associated Press In interviews with several security guards grappled in family hotel business is in a
sures are taken to guaran- PANAMA CITY (AP) — Po- employees at the hotel, a stairwell. bitter fight over Trump Ho-
tee fairness and transpar- lice in helmets and bullet- chambermaids, bartend- In a statement Wednesday, tels’ contract to manage
ency. proof vests on Wednesday ers and other workers said representatives of a condo the 70-story luxury high-rise
Washington and several entered and then left the they had received their lat- association that operates on Panama’s waterfront.
Latin American nations Trump luxury hotel in Pan- est paychecks on time. independently of the ho- Led by Miami-based pri-
have criticized the elec- ama that has been at the But the employees — who tel but shares the building, vate equity fund Ithaca
tion schedule, saying con- center of a management did not want to be iden- accused the private secu- Capital, the owners of the
ditions for a fair vote are dispute. tified for fear of reprisals rity personnel hired by the hotel units voted to remove
lacking. Judith Aparicio, the em- — said they were worried Trump organization of tres- Trump’s name from the
Morales said that he and ployment director for the about their jobs if there is a passing on condo property building and fire his hotel
Haley spoke of their agree- Labor Ministry, said ministry change of management. and carrying guns. management company.
ment on Venezuela and officials went to the hotel Many had been at the ho- The condo association said Ithaca’s manager, Orestes
the need to strengthen to ensure workers were be- tel since its opening in 2011 it had filed criminal com- Fintiklis, has alleged finan-
democratic states, as well ing paid. and said they had been plaints against the Trump cial misconduct by Trump
as anti-corruption efforts, “Our visit is intended to pro- drawn to work there be- organization employees for Hotels dating back years,
measures to reduce mi- vide assurance to workers,” cause of Trump brand — having used “lethal physi- and has said Trump’s state-
gration and combatting Aparicio said. which the building’s new cal force” in a struggle ments on immigration have
gangs and drug trafficking. The officials and the half- owner now says has be- over a control room at the rendered his brand toxic in
Haley praised Guatemala’s dozen police escorting come a huge drawback. building. Latin America. q