Guatemala has agreed to increase its deportation flights carrying Guatemalans and migrants from other nationalities to the United States by 40%, according to President Bernardo Arévalo. The move comes after a press conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where they discussed cooperation on border control and protection.
The new agreement includes creating a task force along Guatemala’s eastern borders to combat transnational crime, as well as repatriating foreign nationals who arrive through deportation flights back to their home countries. Arévalo stated that the US and Guatemala will continue to discuss the process and cooperate on economic investments in Guatemala.
Guatemala has not discussed receiving criminals from the US, contradicting El Salvador’s president, and Arévalo confirmed that his country has not reached a “safe third country” agreement with the US. The talks did not address the issue of receiving migrants who could apply for asylum in Guatemala instead of continuing to the US.
The move is part of President Trump’s effort to stem migration to the US, which has been a priority since taking office. However, customs data shows that border encounters with Central American countries have decreased by 2024.
Guatemalan officials see this opportunity as a chance to develop their country, citing the potential for repatriated migrants to contribute to the economy through the tourism and food industries. Arévalo’s government is launching a nationwide plan to welcome back Guatemalans in the US and reintegrate them into the economy.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/05/americas/guatemala-arevalo-rubio-intl-latam/index.html