Guatemala president to be in Taiwan Wednesday before heading to Japan

Guatemala City, June 2 (CNA) Guatemala President Bernardo Arevalo will arrive in Taiwan on Wednesday on his first trip to the diplomatic ally since taking office in 2024 before traveling to Japan as part of an Asian tour.

The trip to Taiwan is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and attracting foreign investment, and while in Taiwan the Guatemalan president will meet with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Arevalo said at a press conference Monday.

Representatives of the Guatemalan government-funded agency "Proguate," which is responsible for attracting foreign investment, will also be on the trip, he said.

The agency is currently working on signing new trade agreements with Taiwan, according to Arevalo.

The upcoming visit came after Lai invited Arevalo to visit Taiwan during a video conference following the latter's inauguration in January 2024.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) also personally extended the invitation on behalf of Lai again during a visit to Guatemala in October 2024.

Following his Taipei trip, the Guatemalan leader will visit Japan to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He will participate in the Osaka World Expo where Guatemala will hold a "Guatemala Day" to highlight the Central American country's tourism and culture while seeking to attract Japanese investment, Arevalo said.

The Guatemalan president will also meet the emperor of Japan and hold an official summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba while in Tokyo, reflecting the importance of Guatemala-Japan ties.

The visit represents the government's effort to promote an active foreign policy focused on building strategic alliances that promote the country's sustainable development, Arevalo said.

Arevalo will be joined on his trip to Taiwan and Japan by Economics Minister Gabriela García, Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martínez, Private Secretary to the President Ana Glenda Tager, and Social Communication Secretary Santiago Palomo.