In the early hours of this Wednesday, the aircraft carrying Queen Letizia of Spain will touch down at La Aurora airport in Guatemala.
However, this visit represents far more than a mere photo opportunity – it is the culmination of meticulous preparation and a deep commitment to international cooperation.
Queen Letizia’s Humanitarian Mission in Guatemala
Days before embarking on her ninth humanitarian trip, the Queen gathered her team at the Zarzuela Palace.
Donning a gray bouclé jacket by Hugo Boss, reminiscent of her teleworking days during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Queen delved into the three pillars of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation’s (AECID) efforts in Guatemala: education, women’s empowerment, and malnutrition.
María Dolores Ocaña, Letizia’s newly appointed chief of staff, joined this meeting – her first cooperation trip in her new role.
Accompanying the Queen were Eva Granados, the Secretary of State for International Cooperation, and two AECID representatives.
Letizia took diligent notes, her tablet and pen at the ready, meticulously absorbing every detail about the challenges faced by Spanish aid workers in the Central American nation.
Queen Letizia’s agenda in Guatemala
The Queen’s agenda kicks off on Wednesday morning with an official welcome at the National Palace of Culture by Guatemala’s First Lady, Lucrecia Peinado.
This will be followed by a joint meeting on mental health challenges and a gathering with members of the Spanish Cooperation Office at the Spanish Cultural Center.
Later, Letizia will visit the under-construction Escuela Taller del Norte.
On Thursday, the Queen will witness firsthand a water, sanitation, and child malnutrition project, as well as a women’s empowerment initiative in San José Chacayá.
Her journey will then take her to Chimaltenango, where she will explore a project focused on autonomy and comprehensive care for indigenous and mestizo women living free from violence.
The visit will culminate with a meeting with representatives of Spanish cooperation at the Ibero-American Training Center in Antigua, before Letizia returns to Spain.
Through this immersive experience, Queen Letizia reaffirms her dedication to international aid.