Marco Rubio’s Visit to Guatemala is Interventionist: the Antifascist International
Antifascist International activists protest in front of the Executive headquarters, Guatemala. Feb. 5, 2025. @antifascista_gt
February 6, 2025 Hour: 12:56 pm
President Arevalo announced that his country would accept deported migrants of other nationalities from the U.S.
On Wednesday, President Bernardo Arevalo held a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was visiting Guatemala.
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After the meeting, Arevalo announced that his country would once again accept deported migrants of other nationalities from the United States. He also stated that flights carrying deported Guatemalans would increase by 40% in the short term.
Rubio’s visit, however, has been criticized by the International Antifascist Chapter Guatemala, which considers it another attempt at interference in the region. From their perspective, Rubio’s mere presence in the country represents an attack on Guatemalan sovereignty. Protesters argued that U.S. intervention in other countries has historically not been aimed at providing genuine assistance.
The antifascists recalled the dark legacy left by the United States in 1954 when it orchestrated the overthrow of President Jacobo Arbenz. This event, which paved the way for a period of bloody military dictatorships, is remembered as an imperialist invasion that deeply marked the country’s history.
For this reason, Guatemalans remain skeptical about the motives behind Marco Rubio’s visit, which has been officially announced as part of an effort to discuss issues such as migration and the fight against drug trafficking.
Previously, Guatemala had already agreed to become a “safe third country” during the administration of Jimmy Morales (2016-2020) and the first term of U.S. President Donald Trump (2017-2021). Arevalo indicated that the agreement reached on Wednesday is not linked to the previous deal and does not imply acceptance of Guatemala becoming a “safe third country.”
“The issue of a ‘safe country’ does not exist. It was not discussed in title or content. What we have now is a new migration arrangement,” the Guatemalan president said, affirming that his administration would seek to improve the reintegration process for Guatemalans deported to the Central American nation.
“We are in talks with various private companies to identify those willing to absorb migrants” who meet their requirements, the president emphasized.
Between 2023 and 2024, deportations of Guatemalans increased from 55,302 to 61,680 migrants. By 2025, the number of deportations is expected to rise by 40%. The Guatemalan Foreign Affairs Ministry estimates that around 3 million undocumented Guatemalans reside in the United States. Each year, approximately 300,000 Guatemalan citizens choose to migrate irregularly to the U.S. in search of better living conditions.
teleSUR/ JF Soources: EFE – Antifascist International