GUATEMALA CITY — In a recent statement, Guatemala’s President Bernardo Arévalo expressed concerns that issues such as immigration may create friction with the upcoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. However, the former peacebuilder also emphasized the potential for shared interests between the two nations.
Arévalo, marking the beginning of his second year in office, highlighted in an interview that Guatemala is regarded as one of the United States’ most reliable partners within the region. He noted that in the past year, Guatemala’s law enforcement dramatically increased drug seizures, more than doubling the amounts from the previous year. “We mustn’t assume that it will be a relationship that turns dramatic,” he remarked, maintaining a hopeful view of future relations.
This optimism does come in the context of Trump’s early threats to impose tariffs on the U.S.’s largest trading partners and commitments to large-scale deportations, which could heavily impact Guatemala. Over recent years, Central America has posed challenges for the U.S., particularly concerning immigration and corruption. The Biden administration identified corruption in Guatemala as a significant factor driving migration during Arévalo’s predecessor’s tenure. In neighboring nations, leaders like Honduras’ President Xiomara Castro and Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega have expressed skepticism over U.S. military involvement and displayed animosity towards American policies, respectively.
During Trump’s first term, his administration prioritized immigration in its diplomatic dealings with Central America, often sidelining human rights and corruption issues as long as countries were seen as contributing to reduced migrant flows to the U.S. This approach included negotiations of “safe third country” agreements, with Guatemala being a focal point to deter asylum seekers from reaching the U.S. border. Arévalo firmly stated that the “safe third country” label was not applicable to Guatemala, advocating for a more regional approach to immigration challenges. “We are not a safe third country; nobody has proposed it,” he declared.
While Arévalo indicated that Guatemala has its own immigration proposals ready for discussion with the U.S., he emphasized that these would only be introduced once negotiations commence. Regarding the anticipated mass deportations under Trump’s administration, he announced plans to assist returning Guatemalans with reintegration into their home country. Nonetheless, such deportations would significantly impact Guatemala’s economy, as remittances from migrants contribute approximately 20% to the nation’s gross domestic product.
In anticipation of these developments, Guatemala is enhancing its U.S. consulates’ capabilities and creating a mobile application aimed at keeping migrants informed about potential enforcement actions and available legal support. Furthermore, Arévalo communicated with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum regarding the need for economic growth along their shared border to create job opportunities for would-be or returning migrants—a consideration Mexico is also addressing as it prepares for potential deportees.
Aside from these discussions, the two leaders explored the idea of facilitating assistance for Guatemalans through Mexican consulates in the U.S., although Arévalo noted it remains in the brainstorming phase. “It’s a tragedy that men and women of all ages find it necessary to abandon their communities, their families, their homes, to try to make ends meet, because in (Guatemala) they don’t find work, development,” Arévalo remarked poignantly.
High-ranking diplomats from across Central America are set to convene in Mexico later this week to explore strategies for tackling immigration challenges.
