Each presidential administration holds its own views regarding how the U.S. should engage with the world, but nearly all have been united by a commitment to protect American interests abroad. Unfortunately, this changed during the Obama administration, and the results are coming to fruition — economic turmoil overseas with repercussions here in the United States.
One of the most serious examples of this is in Guatemala, where Obama-appointed foreign service officers encouraged successful opposition to the country’s largest silver mine, which is operated by Nevada-based Tahoe Resources. The resulting temporary closure of the mine has been dragging on for more than six months now, and is wreaking economic havoc.
This instability is bad for Guatemala and will complicate U.S. efforts to stem illegal immigration from the region. The Trump administration should reassert its support for reopening the mine and adjust its strategy in Central America, or the consequences could be devastating for both countries.
When operational, Tahoe Resources’ Escobal mine supports nearly 8,000 jobs in Guatemala and contributes $4 million per month to the country's coffers in taxes and royalties. The impact of this lost revenue has been so severe that Guatemala’s tax collector was fired recently for failing to collect enough taxes. As a result, the company also was forced to lay off 25 percent of its workforce, most of whom are Guatemalan.
The trouble for Escobal began several years ago, when the Obama-appointed American ambassador to Guatemala, Todd Robinson, backed a radical lawyernamed Gloria Porras for a seat on the country’s highest court.
Get the Exclusive
01.23.2025