The Governments of the United States of America and Spain released the following statement on the occasion of the Central America Working Group.
At the fourth U.S.-Spain Working Group on Central America, held in Washington, D.C., on December 5, the United States and Spain shared their priorities and concerns with regards to the region. The main issues discussed were the efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, address gender-based violence, protect human rights, advance regional security, promote inclusive development and economic opportunity, combat transnational crime, and coordinate regional responses to migration and displacement. Both parties underscored the importance of international support and highlighted the steadfast work of partner governments, local civil society actors, and the private sector to create the conditions for a more secure, prosperous, and democratic future.
Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A. Nichols led the U.S. delegation while Secretary of State for Ibero-America and the Caribbean and Spanish in the World Susana Sumelzo led the Spanish delegation. Additional U.S. representatives joined from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs; Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration; and Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Spanish participants joined from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation; Ministry of Interior; Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration; and Agency for International Cooperation for Development.
The Working Group meets periodically on shared priorities related to Central America, thereby reaffirming our bilateral commitment to collaborate on regional and global issues of common interest. Working Group participants from both countries also engaged representatives from Central American governments, civil society, and the private sector.
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