Guatemala has agreed to accept an increased number of deportation flights from the United States, including those carrying non-citizens, following a meeting between Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday.
Arevalo announced that the number of deportation flights would increase by 40%, encompassing both Guatemalan nationals and migrants from other countries. The agreement marks a significant step in the US's efforts to curb irregular migration, a key policy priority for President Trump.
Rubio praised Guatemala's willingness to accept non-citizens, highlighting the challenges faced by the US in finding countries willing to receive deportees. He also pledged US support to Guatemala in facilitating the return of non-citizens to their home countries.
The agreement comes as the US has been facing difficulties in deporting migrants to countries like Venezuela and Cuba, which have refused to participate in deportation flights. In response, the US has begun sending undocumented immigrants to its military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
While Guatemala has previously accepted deportation flights from the US, the increased number of flights and the inclusion of non-citizens represent a significant shift in the country's immigration policy. The agreement is expected to have a substantial impact on the flow of migrants from Central America to the US.