Vice President Kamala Harris lands in Guatemala following plane issue

Guatemala City, Guatemala – Kamala Harris on Sunday landed in Guatemala City for her first foreign trip as US vice president after a technical issue with her aircraft delayed her departure.

Kamala Harris and Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs Pedro Brolo depart the plane in Guatemala City.
Kamala Harris and Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs Pedro Brolo depart the plane in Guatemala City.  © IMAGO / Agencia EFE

Harris was welcomed by Foreign Affairs Pedro Brolo ans US Ambassador to Guatemala William Popp at about 6:30 PM.

Less than half an hour after taking off from a military airfield near Washington, the government plane Harris was traveling on had to return to the airport in order to be changed out, according to spokesperson Symone Sanders.

"It is a technical issue. There are no major safety concerns," she said.

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Sanders later told pool reporters that the Air Force Two crew noticed an issue with the landing gear, which was not storing as it should, adding that the plane turned around "out of an abundance of caution."

Harris' official visit to Guatemala and Mexico on Monday and Tuesday will focus on migration and economic cooperation.

President Joe Biden has tasked Harris with taking the lead on curbing migration to the United States.

Cover photo: IMAGO / Agencia EFE

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