Guatemala announces customs union with Honduras

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — The government of Guatemala has announced that it will eliminate customs duties with its neighbor Honduras in June.

Foreign minister Carlos Raul Morales said Wednesday the decision was made by Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina and Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez as a way to improve both countries’ trade.

The countries share a 133-mile border. Morales said the hope is that eventually El Salvador and Nicaragua may join the partnership.

Guatemala’s economy minister Sergio de la Torre said the customs union meant free commerce without taxes.