WEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - The vice president of the United States spoke at a conference where he discussed Central American issues, Thursday afternoon, at Florida International University.
Vice President Mike Pence attended the Central American Conference on Prosperity and Security, hosted at FIU’s Modesto Maidique Campus.
The conference, which began Thursday morning, focused on fixing issues in parts of Central America. Some of the topics included security, drug trafficking, illegal immigration and gang violence.
“Let today mark the beginning of a new era here in the new world,” Pence said, “of partnership and progress throughout our neighborhood.”
Pence was joined by several Trump administration members, including U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly.
This was the first high-level summit between the leaders from Central America and the Trump administration. Pence arrived Thursday afternoon at Miami International Airport to give the keynote address at FIU, which began at around 1 p.m.
“What happens in the northern triangle countries of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala directly affects the security and economic interests of the United States,” said Tillerson at the conference.
Leaders from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Haiti and Mexico also attended.
The presidents of Honduras and El Salvador took to Twitter before the conference, ahead of their scheduled one-on-one conversations with Pence, to push for temporary protective status for their nationals who have been allowed to live and work in the U.S.
However, groups protested outside the conference to make their voices heard on issues that range from LGBTQ rights to immigration.
“While you are discussing the economy, don’t forget the immigrants who are the motor of this economy,” said protester Marleine Bastien.
The Nicaraguan American Foundation’s Milton Gonzalez, who joined protesters, disagreed with Pence’s expected arrival. “His presence here is completely contradictory to the values and objectives of this conference,” he said.
The pro-Israel group Shalom International aimed to send Pence a message to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.
The Florida Immigrant Coalition is expected to hold a conference to protest Kelly and the Trump administration’s immigration policies on the fifth anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
The Democratic Society and People’s Progressive Caucus of Miami-Dade is another group protesting the visit of Pence, Tillerson, Kelly and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin.
Traffic near FIU is expected to be delayed both Thursday and Friday. The Metrorail, Metromover and Metrobus may stop during the afternoon and evening hours. Officials said to also expect delays of up to 30 minutes.
The last meeting is expected to start around 5 p.m. Friday’s talk will focus on security.
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