Global Courant 2023-04-19 16:00:55
The Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and Minister for the Americas of the United Kingdom, David Rutley, visited Guatemala and held a series of meetings with the aim of strengthening the friendship of both countries.
In an interview with Prensa Libre, he spoke of the concern that exists over the expansion of China’s influence in Latin America and warned of the dangers of accepting financing from the Asian country.
Among other aspects, he also spoke about the Russia-Ukraine conflict, cooperation programs in the region and the elections in Guatemala.
What is the objective of your visit to Guatemala?
It is part of a tour to three very important Central American countries, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. I am working hard to make time with our friends in the Americas and have been traveling for the past five months to strengthen relations with these countries.
Today —Monday— we met with personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss our relationship. We have also spoken with non-governmental and civil society organizations on climate change issues.
What projects or initiatives are promoted?
There is more opportunity for trade between the two countries, there is an association agreement between the United Kingdom and Central America that helps us frame our relationship, not only from an economic point of view, but also from a political one. We’ve seen a 6 percent increase in business scope between last year and this year, and there’s so much more we can do. Also, one of the projects in which we will invest US$19 million is the climate change program that deals with how to protect climate-related issues.
Do you also see an opportunity to increase investment?
Our focus is on investments, but also on trade. We want to see opportunities for businesses from the United Kingdom to enter Guatemala, we are exporting refined oils and also vehicles and I think we can add more.
Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, how do you see Guatemala’s position, when many countries are advocating for a negotiated solution to this confrontation to be found?
We are very grateful for the very strong position of Guatemala, we share values and we believe that Ukraine must achieve peace, but to achieve it there must be a dialogue; however, Ukraine has to enter that conversation from a position of military and economic strength, with the support of its allies and friends. We want to help Ukraine move forward and we do that through training, equipment and humanitarian support, but we need the support of countries like Guatemala to show Russia’s actions and the broad global support for Ukraine.
However, the conflict lasts longer and the impacts have been felt throughout Latin America
The impact has been global. It is my first visit to Latin America and in another country they told us ‘we support Ukraine, but remember that this has had a terrible impact on the price of fertilizers.’ It is Russia that is leading these aggressions, and President Putin will have to make decisions about what his plan is, what we can do is take the most difficult position possible for him — Putin — and make it easier for Ukraine to face the future from the fortress , either from the battlefield or from any negotiation.
What do you think of China’s plan to negotiate peace?
There are several countries that are talking about that possibility, but it is vital that they also see that the actions that Russia is taking are absolutely illegal and some countries have not highlighted that issue. I had the opportunity to speak at the UN Security Council in January, and of the 15 countries at the table, 13 raised their voices in favor of the rule of law and against illegal actions, only Russia and China did not speak with the same level of support and that is key.
China is gaining a lot of influence in Latin America, Honduras decided to recognize Beijing. How do you analyze Chinese influence compared to that exerted by Europe or the US itself?
We have concerns regarding some of the actions that the Chinese are taking. We recognize China’s interest in many areas of the world, especially Latin America, and it is understandable that, considering the size of the Chinese market, countries want to trade with China. But we must take into account the risks associated with linking countries with large infrastructure projects, many countries in Latin America recognize these risks and what we try to do is take a different approach, based on trying to bring our experience in climate, infrastructure or water treatment and then build capacity in the countries we work with, because — cooperation — is not just about money and that’s what we said in our conversations in Guatemala, that money is important, but also develop capacities and transfer knowledge, that is the approach we want to share with our friends.
What is the main risk of Chinese cooperation for countries like Guatemala?
The danger is if countries become dependent on other countries, particularly if they are tied to financial agreements where the clauses are very challenging and can expose various financial aspects, we are already seeing it in other countries. That is where we see the risks, because becoming dependent on other countries, getting involved in agreements that are very difficult to finance in the long term. Also in other countries there is this concern. The best way to do business and create relationships with another country is that there can be trust between one and the other.
David Rutley, Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and Minister for the Americas of the United Kingdom, visited Guatemala where he addressed issues of Cooperation and China’s influence in the region. (Free Press Photo: Carlos Hernández Ovalle)
Elections
The British official also referred to the electoral process in Guatemala and said that in any country where there are elections it is important that they are “free and fair.”
“In order for there to be a transition of powers, it is important that the elections be inclusive,” added Rutley, who said he expected continued cooperation with Guatemala since “we have very strong friendships and ties.”
Latin Americans must choose their rulers, said the British official. But it is important that democratic values are maintained. “People have to make their decisions, as do we in the UK, as long as there are opportunities to make them freely and fairly,” he stressed.
He added that democracy “is not always easy” since people have different opinions. “But we have to respect them, so we can get ahead, if we do that we can continue to cooperate as friends,” he concluded.
