Guatemala has received its first deportation flight from the United States carrying migrants from third countries, the country’s migration authority confirmed on Friday, marking a new stage in cooperation between Washington and Guatemala City on migration management.
According to the Guatemalan Migration Institute (IGM), the flight arrived with 59 passengers, 56 Guatemalan citizens and three Honduran nationals.
The Honduran migrants were taken to a migration center in Guatemala, where they will be processed before being transported to Honduras, officials said.
The arrival of the flight follows an arrangement allowing the U.S. to return some migrants who transited through Guatemala before reaching the U.S.-Mexico border.
The program also reflects Guatemala’s willingness to strengthen its partnership with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, particularly on migration and border security issues.
In a report last December, Reuters revealed that Guatemala’s government was open to accepting deportees from other Central American nations, a move aimed at improving bilateral relations with Washington while managing regional migration flows more effectively.
The Guatemalan authorities said they are coordinating closely with international organizations and neighboring governments to ensure humane treatment and safe return for all deportees.
The United States has stepped up deportation flights in recent months as part of a broader effort to deter irregular migration from Central America, where poverty, violence, and climate shocks continue to drive thousands northward each year.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
