One substantial problem President Donald Trump's efforts to deport illegal migrants have faced is that of so-called "recalcitrant" countries, or nations that refuse to accept or otherwise delay and obstruct the repatriation of their own deported nationals from the U.S.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio reached a deal with Guatemala's President Bernardo Arévalo to accept not only more deported Guatemalans but also deportees from other countries, according to Breitbart.

Though the full terms of the agreement have not yet been revealed and are likely still being finalized, it is expected that in exchange for Guatemala's generosity in accepting deportees from other nations, the U.S. will provide assistance on the construction of port facilities, border security, and other infrastructure projects intended to improve Guatemala's economic prosperity.

Guatemala to accept more deportees, including other foreign nationals

As part of a broader trip to multiple countries in Central America and the Caribbean, Sec. Rubio was in Guatemala this week and took part in a press conference on Wednesday alongside President Arévalo to share some of what had been discussed and agreed upon.

Through a Spanish translator, Arévalo said at one point in his remarks, "We have agreed to increase by 40 percent the number of flights of deportees, both national returnees as well as deportees from other nationalities for their ulterior repatriation. The details of this process will be discussed and binational working groups to be established for that purpose."

"However, the permanent response to migration is to bring development for people not to have to leave the country," he continued. "For this reason, a delegation led by the Government of Guatemala and with the support of the private sector will visit -- will perform a high-level visit to Washington, D.C. in coming weeks to create agreements in terms of economic productive development and investment to ensure tangible impact, positive impact for Guatemala."

As noted, some of those pending agreements will likely include more bilateral trade and U.S. assistance to improve Guatemala's border security along with other infrastructure projects that will help provide additional temporary and permanent jobs for Guatemalans and boost that impoverished nation to become more prosperous.

Rubio thanked Guatemala for their "collaboration" on illegal immigration

During the press conference, Sec. Rubio thanked President Arévalo for agreeing to accept a 40% increase in deportation flights from the U.S. of Guatemalan nationals as well as nationals from other countries.

"It’s very important for us in terms of the migratory situation that we’re facing," the secretary insisted. "His willingness to accept not just nationals but those from other nationalities as they seek to ultimately return to their own homelands is also important."

Later, in an X post, Rubio wrote, "Grateful for Guatemala’s collaboration in our fight against illegal migration, narcotrafficking, and transnational crime. @POTUS appreciates Guatemala’s support in accepting additional returnee flights and accommodating U.S. military aircraft."

Working on similar deals with other countries

Breitbart noted that Sec. Rubio has also been working on reaching similar agreements -- to accept more of their own deported nationals as well as deportees from other countries -- with other nations in the region like El Salvador, Mexico, and Panama.

Indeed, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has already reportedly agreed to not only accept deported Salvadorans and other foreigners but also to accept and imprison dangerous individuals like violent criminals and gang members, regardless of where those individuals originated from.

In a Tuesday X post, following a visit to El Salvador, Rubio wrote, "Very productive meeting with Salvadoran President @nayibbukele. His commitment to accept and incarcerate criminals from any country, including from violent gangs like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, will make America safer."

"In an extraordinary gesture never before extended by any country, President Bukele offered to house in his jails dangerous American criminals, including US citizens and legal residents," the secretary added.