U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Trump’s proposal for Gaza redevelopment as a generous offer, stating conditions there are severe. He also discussed challenges at USAID due to employee withdrawals under Trump’s order. Furthermore, Guatemala agreed to accept U.S. deportees in a new immigration arrangement, highlighting ongoing diplomatic efforts in Central America.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized President Donald Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza and transform it into a luxurious resort as an act of generosity during a press briefing in Guatemala City. Rubio emphasized that the initiative was intended to be beneficial rather than confrontational, pointing out the dire conditions in the Palestinian territory, which he likened to a natural disaster due to the presence of debris and unexploded munitions. He acknowledged the urgent need for temporary housing for displaced individuals during the reconstruction phase.
In his remarks, Rubio also expressed frustration over the operational challenges at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), noting a lack of cooperation from agency employees that resulted in a significant upheaval. Almost all staff members stationed overseas are being withdrawn following a directive from the Trump administration, which Rubio admitted was not the intended course of action. He stated, “It’s not the direction I wanted it. It’s not the way we wanted to do it initially, but it is the way we will have to do it now.”
Furthermore, Rubio’s discussions with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo included a commitment from Guatemala to accept migrants deported from the United States under a new agreement. This initiative aims to facilitate the transportation of deportees back to their home nations at U.S. expense, increasing the frequency of deportation flights by 40%. Immigration remains a key focus of Rubio’s diplomatic tour through Central America.
President Arévalo previously criticized the inadequate nature of agreements established with the Trump administration and called for a more regional approach to immigration issues. Nevertheless, he did not dismiss the possibility of a similar arrangement. As Guatemala has already begun accepting deportees, concerns linger regarding how mass deportations could impact the country, which relies heavily on remittances from abroad, constituting a significant portion of its economy.
The article reports on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statements made during a press conference in Guatemala City regarding President Trump’s plans for Gaza and the challenges faced by the U.S. Agency for International Development. It discusses the desperate conditions in Gaza, the operational changes at USAID, and Rubio’s diplomatic efforts regarding immigration in Central America, specifically with Guatemala.
In summary, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has offered an optimistic view of President Trump’s Gaza redevelopment proposal, despite the inherent challenges. He expressed dissatisfaction with USAID’s functioning under the current administration, highlighting operational disruptions. Additionally, Guatemala has agreed to accept deportees from the U.S., reflecting ongoing immigration negotiations during Rubio’s diplomatic efforts in Central America.
Original Source: www.citizensvoice.com
