Less than two weeks after Secretary Rubio's visit to Guatemala, a delegation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) conducted initial assessments at Puerto Quetzal from February 17 to 21. The purpose was to evaluate the port's capacity and discuss future cooperation for infrastructure strengthening.
This visit aligns with Secretary Rubio’s commitment to boost investments in Guatemala, aiming for economic prosperity, reduced illegal migration, and enhanced regional security. It supports President Arévalo’s dedication to eliminating corruption, ensuring accountability in public resources, and collaborating with reliable partners. The expansion of Puerto Quetzal is a key step toward modernizing Guatemala’s infrastructure network, including its railway corridor. These developments are expected to increase employment opportunities and secure regional and global commerce benefiting both Guatemala and the United States.
During this exploratory phase, USACE met with private sector representatives and Guatemalan officials to understand the country's infrastructure priorities. The delegation also engaged with port authorities and conducted technical assessments during a field visit to Puerto Quetzal.
On February 21, USACE briefed President Arévalo on their initial findings and discussed subsequent steps. Both nations committed to continued cooperation in formalizing a workplan that includes additional feasibility studies, design planning, and capacity building by U.S. experts for Guatemala’s infrastructure workforce. USACE and Guatemalan representatives expressed eagerness to proceed swiftly.
The USACE visit highlights the strategic importance of U.S.-Guatemala relations while advancing President Trump’s “America First” Policy by strengthening economic ties and developing infrastructure in partner countries like Guatemala. These collaborations aim to position Guatemala as a regional economic hub by creating jobs and fostering growth while cementing trusted partnerships.