Certification Under Section 7045(a)(2)(A) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023

---
identifier: "/us/fr/2024-17517"
source: "fr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "Certification Under Section 7045(a)(2)(A) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023"
title_number: 0
title_name: "Federal Register"
section_number: "2024-17517"
section_name: "Certification Under Section 7045(a)(2)(A) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023"
positive_law: false
currency: "2024-08-08"
last_updated: "2024-08-08"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
agency: "State Department"
document_number: "2024-17517"
document_type: "notice"
publication_date: "2024-08-08"
agencies:
  - "State Department"
fr_citation: "89 FR 65007"
fr_volume: 89
docket_ids:
  - "Public Notice:12483"
---


#  Certification Under Section 7045(a)(2)(A) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023

By virtue of the authority vested in me by section 7045(a)(2)(A) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023 (div. K, Pub. L. 117-328) (FY 2023 SFOAA) and Department of State Delegation of Authority 513, I hereby certify that the central government of Guatemala is:

i. combating corruption and impunity, including investigating and prosecuting government officials, military personnel, and police officers credibly alleged to be corrupt;

ii. implementing reforms, policies, and programs to strengthen the rule of law, including increasing the transparency of public institutions, strengthening the independence of judicial and electoral institutions, and improving the transparency of political campaign and political party financing;

iii. protecting the rights of human rights defenders, trade unionists, journalists, civil society groups, opposition political parties, and the independence of the media;

iv. providing effective and accountable law enforcement and security for its citizens, curtailing the role of the military in public security, and upholding due process of law;

v. implementing programs to reduce violence against women and girls;

vi. implementing policies to reduce poverty and promote economic growth and opportunity, including the implementation of reforms to strengthen educational systems, vocational training programs, and programs for at-risk youth;

vii. improving border security and combating human smuggling and trafficking and countering the activities of criminal gangs, drug traffickers, and transnational criminal organizations;

viii. informing its citizens of the dangers of the journey to the southwest border of the United States; and

ix. implementing policies that improve the environment for foreign investment, including executing tax reform in a transparent manner, ensuring effective legal mechanisms for reimbursements of tax refunds owed to United States businesses, and resolving disputes involving the confiscation of real property of United States entities.

This certification shall be published in the *Federal Register* and, along with the accompanying Memorandum of  Justification, shall be reported to Congress.

Dated: July 17, 2024.

Richard R. Verma,

Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources.