Guatemala Offered Receiving 40% More Deportation Flights From U.S. As 'Safe Third Country'

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo de León offered for the nation to receive 40% more deportation flights from the U.S. as it gears up to become a "safe third country" as part of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

The country is currently receiving 14 flights a week, according to regional outlet El Faro, with the figure potentially going up to 20. It has also reportedly promised to expand diplomatic and commercial relations with Taiwan, getting in exchange support the construction of a port and other projects that the president has promised, as well as the unfreezing of USAID funding for anti-drug cooperation.

Programs for Guatemala amount to over $275 million and include some for human trafficking victims and unaccompanied migrant children. The agreement was reached following Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to the country as part of his regional tour, the first international trip since taking office.

There had already been reports about Guatemala being willing to take in deportees from third countries before the announcement, with a local official telling Reuters in December that the country wants to "be part of the solution."

Rubio also reached an agreement with El Salvador to send deportees from third countries, with Bukele also offering to hold convicted criminals from both the U.S. and other countries for a fee. Rubio and Trump are reportedly considering the proposal even though it is not clear whether it is legal.