Guatemala confirms more than 2,000 Mexican nationals were deported there this year

The president of Guatemala says his country has accepted more than 2,000 Mexican deportees from the United States this year.

The news adds to increased scrutiny for the U.S. practice of third-country deportations.

Guatemala President Bernardo Arévalo said in an interview on Wednesday the Mexican nationals deported to his country arrived on planes alongside Guatemalan deportees and stayed in Guatemala for less than 24 hours.

Guatemala has an agreement with the United States to accept third-country deportees, but typically third-country deportations occur when the country of origin has strained diplomatic relations with the United States and refuses to accept deportation flights.

Mexico’s immigration office told the Associated Press that the “reason is that the United States wants to prevent them from crossing back into its territory.”

Mexico has accepted tens of thousands of deportees during President Donald Trump’s second term, including individuals from countries other than Mexico.

A U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told KJZZ the Trump administration is “utilizing all lawful options to carry out the largest deportation operation in history.” The U.S. State Department said it does not comment on private diplomatic communications with other governments.

The Mexican deportees arrive in Guatemala on a transitory basis before being transported to Mexico, Arévalo said, adding that Mexican and U.S. authorities cover the costs to Guatemala.

Mexico’s foreign ministry said in a statement that it has reiterated its objection to the practice of third-country deportations to the United States.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior are taking all necessary steps to ensure the safe and dignified return to national territory of Mexican nationals deported by the United States to Central American countries,” the ministry said.