Guatemala expressed its willingness to engage in a “constructive and respectful dialogue” with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. However, there is no agreement yet on accepting deported migrants.
The government of the Central American country released a statement on Thursday, confirming their ongoing engagement with Trump’s transition team. However, they clarified that no meeting has taken place between government officials to discuss the President’s plan to deport a significant number of immigrants residing in the United States without legal documentation.
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According to three sources familiar with the matter, it was announced on Thursday that Guatemala is willing to accept citizens from other Central American countries who are deported from the United States. This move signals the intentions of President Bernardo Arevalo’s center-left government to establish a positive relationship with President-elect Trump, who will be taking office on January 20th.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Guatemalan government emphasized that any statements attributed anonymously do not accurately reflect its official position, as stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Reuters, Guatemala has taken proactive measures to prepare for a potential second term of President Trump. They have held meetings with transition team members, Senator Marco Rubio, and the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank. The discussions focused on various issues such as migration and mass deportations, border security, drug trafficking, and China.
According to an official, the country intends to prioritize the re-integration of Guatemalans by utilizing the skills they have acquired in the United States in the private sector.
Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, collectively known as the Northern Triangle, as well as Nicaragua, are facing the challenge of meeting Trump’s requirement to receive deportees and the possibility of reduced remittances from immigrants living in the U.S. These remittances play a significant role in their economies.