Microsoft, Mastercard sign on to VP Harris's Central America strategy

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

May 27, 2021
6:39 PM CDT

Nandita Bose

4 minute read

Twelve companies and groups including Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), Mastercard (MA.N) and Nestle's (NESN.S) Nespresso on Thursday will commit to making investments in Central America - a win for Vice President Kamala Harris as she aims to lower migration from the region into the United States.

President Joe Biden has tasked Harris with leading U.S. efforts with Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. Since then, Harris has taken a series of steps aimed at improving conditions and lowering migration from the region.

Harris, who met with officials from these companies and groups on Thursday, said economic opportunities in the region can be boosted via partnerships with the private sector.

"In order for us as an administration, the United States government, to maximize the potential of our work, it has to be through collaboration, through public-private partnerships," Harris told reporters at the start of the meeting.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/us-vp-harris-meet-companies-groups-push-central-america-economic-growth-2021-05-27/

[BaronChocula]

1. Meanwhile...

Mike Pence is cleaning fly eggs out of his hair in his gallows-proof bunker.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

2. I wonder if this will drive up costs for:

childcare, cleaning services, construction labor, farm labor, restaurant labor and a whole host of other essention workers in this country?

[Skittles]

3. maybe it SHOULD

[OneCrazyDiamond]

6. If it does, it might open some eyes.

We need immigration.

[HUAJIAO]

4. Nestle?

OMG, what could possibly go wrong?

[ArizonaLib]

7. That's what I read also

They are not good for this country - why are we sending them to others?

[GB_RN]

8. No Shit

They’ll be stealing the water…

[pecosbob]

9. They've been doing so in Latin America for some time now

They've even forged business ties with the cartels for water from areas they control

[GB_RN]

10. Didn't Know That

I Hate Nestle.

[LudwigPastorius]

5. Sounds good, as long as these investments come with worker protection.

It's not like U.S. companies have a great history with Central America.

[Mosby]

11. Can't read reurers anymore.

The minimum wage in Honduras is $353/mo.

The minimum wage in El Salvador is $251/mo.

The minimum wage in Guatemala is $273/mo.

The minimum wage in Mexico is $129/mo.

I think this is the problem.

Workers from any of these countries can come here illegally and earn $1000s per month.

[FlyingPiggy]

12. I am glad to hear this. I sure hope it roots out the corruption in the process.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

13. The corruption we propped up?

Not likely.

[FlyingPiggy]

14. Yeaaa, that must be it. Corruption only comes from us. Those gangs and drug cartels aren't corrupt

Whatsoever. I actually have worked w all these migrants and the corruption is real. All without our help.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

15. You have no idea the damage we have done to Latin America.

I recommend starting with Open Veins of Latin America by Eduardo Galeano. Do your homework and then we can have a discussion.

[FlyingPiggy]

16. Oh please. I know we have blood on our hands. But we definitely don't

Have the entire market on corruption. It is rampant all over mex, Central America, and South America for decades. If anything that is the singular reason that keeps those areas from truly developing and growing.