VP Harris’ Plane Forced To Land After Technical Problem On First International Trip

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is currently on her first diplomatic mission to Mexico and Guatemala to discuss the U.S. border crisis, had to briefly step off Air Force Two only 30 minutes after taking off due to a “technical issue.” The plane returned to Joint Base Andrews where Harris transferred to another plane that took off an hour and a half later. “I’m good, I’m good. We all said a little prayer, but we’re good,” Harris told reporters after stepping off the plane. A senior aid confirmed there were no major safety issues on the flight.

Harris arrived in Guatemala City on Sunday evening where she was greeted by Foreign Affairs Minister Pedro Brolo and U.S. ambassador to Guatemala, William Popp.

Harris is currently embarked on her first international diplomatic trip and has already spoken to Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on the phone before arriving. The main objective of this trip is to discuss the “root causes” of migration such as poverty, economic instability and extreme weather patterns, which have led to increased immigration to the U.S. border from Central America. Harris will also focus on anti-corruption talks.

The Biden Administration has emphasized that it cannot solve the immigration crisis without collaboration with Central American governments and organizations such as the United Nations. Harris has also stated that focusing on “root causes” cannot entirely solve the issues facing the U.S. on its southern border.

This trip has predictably caused some dissent from Republicans. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Florida) aired his concerns on Fox News. “The answers aren’t down there in Guatemala because the cartel is actively recruiting,” he said. “They’re making about $5 billion this year trafficking people across our southern border. And so you don’t have to go down to Guatemala to know what’s actually going on. What’s going on is the administration’s weak policies allow the cartels to make billions of dollars. It’s that simple.”