Guatemala has reached an agreement with the United States to significantly increase the number of deportation flights it will accept. This decision follows a visit from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who met with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo to discuss immigration issues. During a news conference on Wednesday, Arevalo announced that his country would ramp up deportation flights by 40 percent, which will include not only Guatemalan nationals but also non-citizens.
This development is part of a broader strategy by the U.S. government to curb irregular migration from Central America. Rubio’s visit marks his first trip as Secretary of State, during which he has been actively seeking support from regional leaders for President Trump’s anti-immigration policies. Before arriving in Guatemala, Rubio traveled to Panama, El Salvador, and Costa Rica, and he plans to continue to the Dominican Republic.
Arevalo’s administration had previously accepted deportation flights under President Biden, with reports indicating that Guatemala received around 14 flights daily. However, the exact number of flights under the new agreement with Trump’s administration remains uncertain. Notably, in fiscal year 2024, nearly 66,000 Guatemalans were deported from the U.S., surpassing any annual total seen during Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021.
In addition to agreeing to accept deportees, Arevalo stated that Guatemala would also welcome non-citizens sent from the U.S. Rubio praised this aspect of the agreement, emphasizing its significance in addressing the ongoing migration challenges. He mentioned that the U.S. would provide financial assistance to help Guatemala facilitate the return of these non-citizens to their home countries.
While the discussions were productive, the topic of accepting migrants with criminal records was reportedly not addressed. This comes in contrast to a recent offer from El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who proposed to imprison any violent offenders sent from the U.S., a suggestion that has raised legal concerns among U.S. officials.
As the U.S. continues to grapple with the complexities of immigration policy, the situation in Guatemala exemplifies the intricate relationships between Central American countries and the U.S. regarding migration. The agreement to increase deportation flights reflects the ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to manage immigration issues, while also highlighting the challenges faced by countries like Guatemala in accepting deportees and non-citizens.