Rubio pledges support for Guatemala's infrastructure, issues foreign aid waivers

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday the U.S. plans to support Guatemala with new infrastructure projects and to sign waivers on foreign aid to strengthen the United States' partnership with the Central American country.

Speaking alongside Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo in a joint press conference, Rubio said he had signed "a letter of support" pledging full State Department cooperation on a partnership between Guatemala and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The initiative aims to "begin preliminary planning for the expansion" of "two new port facilities," along with highway and railroad connections to position Guatemala as a regional trade hub and boost its economic opportunities.

"Today, I'll be signing waivers on foreign aid that will continue that partnership, and hope to build on it," Rubio told reporters.

Guatemala has reached a new migration agreement with the United States and will accept more deportation flights, Arevalo announced Wednesday after talks with Rubio.