US and Mexican officials confirmed to Reuters that Mexico denied a request from the Trump administration to allow a US military aircraft, intended to deport migrants, to land in the country.
On Friday, US military aircraft conducted two flights to Guatemala, each carrying approximately 80 migrants. However, the Trump administration’s plan to land a C-17 transport aircraft in Mexico was halted due to Mexico’s refusal to grant permission.
This development, first reported by NBC News, was later verified by both US and Mexican officials. Mexico’s Foreign Ministry emphasized in a statement that the country maintains “very good relations” with the US and cooperates on migration issues. The ministry stated, “When it comes to returns, we always welcome Mexicans arriving in our territory with open arms.”
Mexican officials did not provide a specific reason for the denial of landing rights, and the Foreign Ministry refrained from further comment on the matter.
This incident follows the Trump administration’s announcement earlier in the week of plans to reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” program, which requires non-Mexican asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their US cases are processed. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, however, stated on Wednesday that such a step could not be taken without Mexico’s approval, which had not been granted.
The US State Department and the Pentagon have yet to respond to requests for comment on the issue.
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