U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano signed a memorandum of understanding in Washington on Thursday to strengthen cooperation against irregular immigration and advance security, trade, and investment issues.
Rubio, who had visited Paraguay months earlier, called the event a "great day to reaffirm ties" on an issue that, he said, concerns both nations. "I want to thank the foreign minister and my friend, President Santiago Peña, a great ally of the United States. We are very pleased to sign this agreement together with our partners at the Department of Homeland Security," he said.
Through his X account, Rubio stated that the US president “will no longer allow the asylum system to be abused” and explained that the Safe Third Country agreement will allow asylum seekers in the United States to submit their protection claims in Paraguay. He also thanked Peña Nieto for his leadership “in the fight against illegal immigration” and his commitment to “a safer hemisphere.”
For his part, Ramírez Lezcano emphasized that the memorandum goes beyond migration policy and encompasses other aspects of the bilateral agenda, such as security, trade, and investment. "We share values such as democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law," he stated.
Also participating in the signing was U.S. Undersecretary of Homeland Security Troy Edgar, who described the agreement as "a major step" in the Trump administration's plans to engage third countries in curbing irregular entry into the United States. According to Edgar, the asylum system had been subject to "abuse" in the past, and this agreement will ease the burden on national security and prioritize those who truly qualify for protection.
With this agreement, both countries strengthen a strategic alliance that seeks not only to address migration challenges but also to expand cooperation in various key areas for regional stability and development.
