Bush Talks Trade With Guatemala

U.S. President George Bush talked free trade and foreign aid Monday with his Guatemalan counterpart, Oscar Berger, Prensa Libre reported online.

Bush touted the Central America Free Trade Agreement that eases trade restrictions with the United States as the key to economic growth in the region.

Free trade is important to a lot of people, said Bush during the fourth stop on his five-nation Latin America tour that ends with a visit to Mexico. It’s a gateway. It creates jobs in America as it created jobs here.

During his tour, Bush has made pains to mention U.S. aid efforts in Guatemala and elsewhere in Latin America.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has continued his anti-Bush tour of Latin America with stops in Argentina, Bolivia and elsewhere, condemning U.S. policy in the region and globally.