US compliments Guatemala for security cooperation

WASHINGTON (AP):

The acting head of the United States (U.S.) Homeland Security Department is complimenting what he says is cooperation with Guatemala to tighten immigration security.

Kevin McAleenan’s statement came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump railed against Guatemala and threatened retribution against the Central American nation over immigration.

McAleenan said the collaboration is “already yielding significant results”. He also mentioned a joint operation in Guatemala that broke up a human smuggling ring in May.

McAleenan told counterparts from Honduras, El Salvador and Panama, and the Costa Rican ambassador that he wants similar cooperation.

Trump tweeted that he may impose tariffs and tax remittance money, and alleged that Guatemala refused to sign an asylum deal with the U.S. even though the country’s government didn’t say it had agreed to the arrangement.