Central America fears Trump could deport the coronavirus

Molly O’Toole for the Los Angeles Times reports that Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador are highly vulnerable to the pandemic, but they are also dependent on the United States for economic and security assistance. Despite fears of the virus spreading, all three are continuing to accept deportation flights from the United States, but only for their own citizens.

After barring foreign travelers and closing its borders and businesses to try to contain the spread of coronavirus, Guatemala earlier this month became the first nation to publicly refuse deportation flights from the United States.  But, just over a week ago, Guatemalan authorities allowed flights to resume — starting with 66 Guatemalans sent from Brownsville, Texas.

With chronic poverty, corruption and violence, and dysfunctional healthcare systems, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador — Central America’s Northern Triangle — are highly vulnerable to the pandemic, but they are also dependent on the United States for economic and security assistance. They have little leverage against a Trump administration clearly determined to continue deportations despite the risk of worsening the virus’s spread.

KJ