Guatemala embassy saved, Chicago consulate shut

Parliament has supported a counterproposal to maintain the Swiss embassy in Guatemala, but the Senate refused to give the thumbs-up to a call by the Swiss Club in Chicago to maintain the consulate general there. Following a short debate on Thursday, the Senate unanimously decided to snub plans by the foreign ministry to close the Swiss representation to Guatemala City and move all its services to Costa Rica’s capital, San José. The other chamber, the House of Representatives, had voted on the issue in March. Committee speaker Anne Seydoux-Christe stressed the crucial role of the Swiss embassy for the promotion of peace and the protection of human rights in the fragile region. “The presence of Switzerland is needed for diplomatic reasons and to support Swiss non-governmental organisations active in Guatemala,” she said. She added that a full diplomatic mission is important for the negotiations on a free trade accord between Switzerland and the central American state.