GUATEMALA CITY, Oct 11, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Guatemala received on Friday its first group of foreign deportees from the United States, authorities said, making good on a promise to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The Trump administration has launched a mass deportation drive, sending some migrants back to their home countries but also striking deals with governments willing to accept foreigners -- often prompting concern from rights groups.

Guatemala received a first group of three Honduran nationals, who were flown out of the United States along with 56 Guatemalan citizens, the Central American country's migration agency said in a statement.

The Hondurans will be sent back to their home country with the foreign ministry's involvement to ensure their "dignified reception," it said.

Guatemala, a major source of migration to the United States, has already received deportation flights carrying Guatemalans since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January.

Last year, under the administration of Democrat Joe Biden, the country received 508 flights from the United States with 61,680 Guatemalan deportees.

During a February visit by Rubio, Guatemala's President Bernardo Arevalo promised to allow a surge of deportation flights of "returning nationals, and foreigners."

The United States under previous administrations sought to address the root causes of migration through on-the-ground support.