US Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Guatemala this week for a February 5 meeting with President Bernardo Arévalo at the National Palace of Culture. Among other things, the two agreed to increase deportee flights from the United States, militarize border control, and continue cooperation against drug trafficking.
The US State Department has released an official transcript of post-meeting remarks. These include Rubio and Arévalo arriving at a consensus of 40 percent more deportee flights. Deportations may include both Guatemalans and foreigners en route to final repatriation.
Under the Safe Third Country Agreement, as affirmed by Arévalo, deportees will subsequently return to their home countries at US expense. The details of this process lack final details, but Rubio pledged to assist with getting foreign nationals to their final destinations and home nations. Congressman Marco Pérez of the Vamos party was one to share immediate concerns about Guatemala hosting unknown migrants with security implications. He said there should have been more clarity before any agreement.
Regarding Guatemalans returning home, Rubio highlighted the business community’s support for reintegrating them into the economy. CACIF, Guatemala’s chamber-of-commerce umbrella organization, released a statement calling for a public-private employment council to facilitate training and formal opportunities.
Regarding immigration enforcement, Arévalo announced the creation of a combined force from the National Police and the National Armed Forces. This will be a border control and protection task force stationed along the almost 300-kilometer northern Guatemalan border. Establishing the rule of law with regards to immigration is a top priority of the Donald Trump administration. This was also the chief focus of Rubio’s first foreign trip as the top US diplomat.
Rubio commended Arévalo for continuing relations with Taiwan and upholding democracy and republican institutions, adding that the United States will continue to work together with Guatemala to achieve mutual goals. The secretary of state explained that Guatemala is a country that confronts all aspects of what is challenging our hemisphere—namely illegal migration and drug trafficking: Guatemala is not only a destination, but a transit country as well.
Rubio stated that he looks forward to strengthening cooperation ties to combat the vast drug-trafficking industry. He advocates measures to prevent cartels from entering the United States, corrupting the institutions of Guatemala, and harming Guatemala’s economic plans. He went on to sign waivers on foreign aid to back fighting drug-trafficking organizations.
Rubio also signed a letter pledging the State Department’s cooperation with combined efforts between the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Guatemalan government. They will begin preliminary planning for the expansion of not one but two new port facilities. There also appears to be an opportunity for Guatemala, with US backing, to become a trade hub for the region. This assumes increased infrastructure investment for highways and railroads to go with more port personnel.
Jorge Jacobs, a radio host and the former executive director of the Center for Socioeconomic Studies (CEES), responded with a February 7 column: “Migration and security were the central topics. However, what is truly relevant for the country’s future lies in the economy. This [visit] opens up an opportunity window that Guatemala cannot afford to ignore: to establish itself as a production hub for the US market.”
Regarding USAID, Rubio stated that the goal is to align programs with US foreign policy. According to Rubio, the executive order that created USAID meant for it to take policy direction from the president, the National Security Council, and the secretary of state. However, over the last two decades, USAID has charted its own course. While multiple administrations have complained, none has done anything about it. This administration is reversing that malaise.
Rubio stated this realignment is not the end of foreign aid, but a restructuring that furthers US national interests. Further, he claims his visit has given him insight into those programs in Guatemala.
As the first Hispanic secretary of state—born in a Cuban, Spanish-speaking home—Rubio’s first trip has been symbolic and strategically important. It suggests the Trump administration is prioritizing the Western hemisphere and firming up allies to push back against Chinese expansion in the region.
