Torres Statement on Guatemalan Presidential Election

ONTARIO, CA – Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA), the first Guatemalan-born Member of Congress, issued the following statement regarding the Guatemalan presidential election:

"I congratulate Alejandro Giammattei on his election as President of Guatemala. President-Elect Giammattei will have an important opportunity to refocus the new government to address the critical needs of the Guatemalan people, which have been ignored for too long. Creating jobs for young people, eliminating extreme poverty and malnutrition, and improving public safety are goals that can unite all Guatemalans and are essential to providing an alternative to irregular immigration. None of these goals can be achieved, however, without combatting corruption and strengthening the rule of law. I strongly urge the new President-Elect to take immediate and concrete actions toward these goals; if he demonstrates a sincere commitment to doing so, he can count on strong support from the United States Congress."

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