President Bush Names HHS Secretary to Represent the United States at the Inauguration of the New President of Guatemala

January 11, 2008 – President George W. Bush yesterday announced he had designated the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Honorable Michael O. Leavitt, to lead a Presidential Delegation to Guatemala City, Guatemala, to attend the inauguration of the Honorable Álvaro Colóm as President of the Republic of Guatemala. Joining Secretary Leavitt on the U.S. Delegation to the Colóm inauguration, which will take place on January 14, 2008, will be the Honorable James M. Derham, U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala; the Honorable Rob Mosbacher, President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; the Honorable Sara Martínez Tucker, Under Secretary of Education; and the Honorable Christopher A. Padilla, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade.

While in Guatemala City, Secretary Leavitt will meet with President-Elect Colóm, Vice President-Elect Rafael Espada and members of their incoming Cabinet, including new Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance Eusebio del Cid, M.D. The Secretary and the U.S. Delegation will also hold meetings with the leaders of other Delegations from the Americas who are attending the inaugural ceremonies.

This is Secretary Leavitt's second trip to Guatemala and his seventh trip to Latin America during his time at HHS.

Last revised: January 14, 2008