U.S., Guatemala signal cooperation on ports and transport planning; Army Corps of Engineers to assist preliminary studies

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he signed a letter that “pledging the full cooperation of the state department on a very specific project, which is the partnership between the government of Guatemala and the army corps of engineers in The United States to begin preliminary planning for the expansion of not 1, but 2 new port facilities.”

Rubio said such projects, coupled with highways and rail interconnections, would create short‑term construction employment and long‑term capacity to position Guatemala as a regional economic hub. He said the projects will take time and require preliminary plans from the Army Corps of Engineers.

The president of Guatemala thanked Rubio for expressing U.S. support for priority ground, air, sea and rail infrastructure — including “the metro” — and said the letter signals U.S. willingness to consider partnerships for that structured infrastructure. Both officials said details and project design will be handled in technical and binational working groups.

Rubio also referenced Taiwan and said he would seek to expand Guatemala’s relationship with Taiwan beyond diplomacy to economic ties and investment. The president thanked Rubio for supporting Guatemala’s democratic institutions and its diplomatic relationship with Taiwan.

Officials did not release project timelines, budgets, or firm commitments of U.S. funding; they said these details would be addressed as planning progresses.