Page 12 - aruba-today-20190712

A12 WORLD NEWS
Friday 12 July 2019

Guatemala court asked to block ‘safe 3rd country’ with US

By SONIA PÉREZ D. ister Sandra Jovel and In-
Associated Press terior Minister Enrique De-
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — genhart, who have been
Three former foreign minis- involved in immigration
ters are asking Guatema- and security talks with the
la’s Constitutional Court to United States.
bar President Jimmy Mo- Later Thursday, former pres-
rales from entering into a idential candidate Man-
“safe third country” agree- fredo Marroquín filed a
ment with the United States, separate petition for an in-
days ahead of his visit to junction, arguing that such
Washington announced an accord would violate
Thursday. basic individual rights and
Such an arrangement that Guatemala cannot af-
would require asylum seek- ford to receive thousands
ers to apply for refuge in of asylum seekers.
the first “safe” country they In the face of a surge of mi-
arrive in. That means Hon- grants and asylum seekers
durans, Salvadorans and arriving at the U.S. border
others who pass through this year, the Trump ad-
Guatemala would not be ministration has sought to
able to go directly to the pressure other countries in
U.S. border and make an the region to help stop the
asylum claim there. A Honduran boy, who is waiting with his family to request asylum, rests on an air mattress at flow.
Critics of such a deal note the entrance to the Puerta Mexico international bridge in Matamoros, Tamaulipas state, Mexico, It has also wanted Mexico
Guatemala shares similar Friday, June 28, 2019. to become a “safe third
conditions of poverty and Associated Press country,” though Mexico
gang violence that are driv- try” deal. Wednesday’s court filing migration toward the U.S. has resisted such an agree-
ing people to flee the other Two U.S. officials with knowl- by the three former minis- border. Noting Morales has ment.
two countries of Central edge of the matter said, ters was also signed by two just six months left in office, Mexico has, however,
America’s Northern Trian- however, that a “safe third former high-ranking diplo- the filing says an agree- cracked down on migra-
gle. Morales’ government country” agreement with mats and was made public ment “would allow the cur- tion through its territory
said via Twitter that he is Guatemala is on the table Thursday. rent president of the repub- including the use of thou-
expected to meet Monday and the hope is to have It seeks an injunction lic to leave the future of our sands of National Guard
with U.S. President Donald a signing ceremony while against any agreement, country mortgaged, with- troops to assist enforce-
Trump and also with other Morales is in Washington, arguing that Morales would out any responsibility.” ment. It also agreed to ex-
officials to discuss security, though they cautioned be misusing a 1954 conven- It also says a possible agree- pansion of a U.S. program
immigration and economic that it was not a done deal. tion on simplified signing ment has not been made under which asylum seek-
matters. The officials agreed to talk for international treaties to public, violating principles ers are returned to Mexico
Presidential spokesman Al- about the matter only on violate Guatemalan laws in of government transpar- to wait while their claims
fredo Brito said Morales’ condition of anonymity be- response to pressure from ency. The court filing seeks slog through severely back-
visit is not for the purpose of cause they were not autho- Washington to slow a wave to include in an injunction logged U.S. immigration
signing a “safe third coun- rized to discuss it publicly. of mostly Central American Guatemalan Foreign Min- courts.q

US targets Venezuela intelligence agency with sanctions

By SCOTT SMITH Maduro often says he is of Venezuela’s population
Associated Press willing to negotiate to end — fleeing the country in re-
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) hostilities and bring peace cent years.
— The Trump administration to the South American na- The new U.S. sanctions
imposed sanctions Thurs- tion, but the opposition target Venezuela’s Gen-
day on Venezuela’s military accuses the socialist gov- eral Directorate of Military
intelligence agency, which ernment of using talks as Counterintelligence. The
is accused of torturing to a stalling tactic while con- sanctions appear to be
death a navy captain in its tinuing to threaten, torture largely symbolic because
custody. and kill political opponents. they prohibit Americans’
The latest move by the U.S. The Vatican extended its dealings with the agency,
Treasury Department to institutional prestige in 2016, which likely has few al-
pressure President Nicolás attempting to mediate a ready.
Maduro from power fol- A hearse containing the body of Navy Capt. Rafael Acosta dialogue that the pope lat- The agency arrested Capt.
lowed another round of leaves the morgue in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday July 10, er said “went up in smoke,” Rafael Acosta on suspicion
negotiations in Barbados 2019. placing blame on Maduro. of plotting to assassinate
between Maduro’s gov- Associated Press A year later, a fresh round Maduro. His attorney says
ernment and opposition details and it wasn’t imme- most recent attempt at of talks in the Dominican he showed signs of torture
leaders aimed at ending diately clear if any agree- dialogue. Several rounds Republic also fizzled with before dying after a court
Venezuela’s political crisis. ments had been reached. of talks have failed to lead no constructive outcome. appearance.
Maduro’s spokesman, The U.S.-backed opposition to solutions as Venezuela’s Meanwhile, crippling U.S. “The politically motivated
Jorge Rodriguez, said the is demanding early presi- political and financial crisis oil sanctions have exacer- arrest and tragic death...
talks moderated by Nor- dential elections, contend- has deepened in recent bated a crisis marked by was unwarranted and un-
way that closed Wednes- ing that Maduro’s re-elec- years, sparking one of the food, fuel and medicine acceptable,” Treasury Sec-
day resulted in a success- tion last year was invalid. worst migration crises in shortages that sent 4 million retary Steven Mnuchin said
ful exchange, but gave no Few hold out hope for the Latin America’s history. people — more than 10% in a statement. q