GUATEMALA CITY -- As he has on his other stops in Latin America, President George W. Bush strived to show that the United States is a compassionate nation during his visit to Guatemala on Monday.

Bush met in Guatemala City with President Oscar Berger, a conservative leader who has become a strong U.S. ally. Trade and immigration were high on the agenda.

He was treated to a welcoming ceremony in the courtyard of Guatemala's National Palace, the site of the signing of 1996 peace accords that ended a 36-year civil war in which the United States played a sometimes-checkered role.

"Our two countries share many values. We both believe good governments must be accountable to the people they serve and subject to the rule of law. We both believe free enterprise and hard work help lead to prosperity, and we both believe our nations have a responsibility to spread opportunity and advance the cause of social justice," Bush said.

Later he helped to load lettuce headed for the global market with U.S. help and toured an American military center that provides basic medical care and physician training.

During a stop in Colombia on Sunday, the president said, "it's very important for the people of South America and Central America to know that the United States cares deeply about the human condition."

The president and first lady also are scheduled to have dinner with Guatemala's president and his wife in the mostly-indigenous town of Santa Cruz Balanya to stress the need for social justice and equality.

But protests continue despite Bush's attempt to spread U.S. goodwill. More than 100 Mayan Indians demonstrated upon Bush's arrival, holding signs that read: "No more blood for oil."

And Mayan priests said they'll purify a sacred archaeological site to get rid of any "bad spirits" after Bush visits there.