Contact: J.P. Duffy or Alice Chao, 866-FRC-NEWS or 866-372-6397

GUATEMALA CITY, Jan. 26, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Thursday, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins traveled with a small delegation of evangelical leaders to Guatemala City to meet with President Jimmy Morales, Vice President Jafeth Cabrera and key members of the Morales administration to commend Guatemala for recognizing Jerusalem as the undivided, eternal capital of Israel, and discuss other vital issues such as his administration's support for the sanctity of human life, and religious freedom. The delegation was organized by the Latino Coalition for Israel and included evangelical leaders such as Mario Bramnick, President of Latino Coalition for Israel; Dr. Jim Garlow, Senior Pastor of Skyline Church; former Congresswoman Michele Bachmann; Pastor Ramiro Pena, Senior Pastor, Christ the King; and Lourdes Aguirre, director, Latino Coalition for Israel.

After his dinner and visit with President Morales, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement:

"I appreciate the opportunity to meet with President Morales to discuss his government's leadership role in defending Israel and becoming the first nation to follow President Trump in recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

"In the face of strong international opposition and even some resistance within the U.S. State Department, Guatemala has remained a true friend of Israel by publicly proclaiming the biblical and historical fact that Jerusalem is the undivided, eternal capital of Israel.

"He and the Guatemalan people have bravely established laws and public policies to defend the sanctity of human life. The president put pro-life principles into action just last year when he prevented a floating abortion clinic from operating in Guatemalan territory, setting an example for all the nations of the Americas.

"I was very encouraged to learn more about President Morales' parallel efforts to President Trump in seeking to protect and enhance the religious expression of Guatemala's citizens. President Morales is setting an example for other world leaders as a champion of faith, family and freedom," concluded Perkins.