Guatemala cracks down on migrant caravan bound for United States

Guatemala has not said how many migrants were detained on Saturday as the caravan moved towards Mexico.

The caravan is likely to come under more pressure in Mexico. Mexico’s migration accord with the United States still holds, so the caravan would be dispersed, a Mexican official said.

On Saturday evening, the Mexican foreign ministry pressed local authorities to halt the caravan’s progress, pointing to the need to contain the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement, the ministry praised the Guatemalan government for acting in a “firm and responsible” manner toward migrants that had “violated [Guatemala’s] sovereignty” and urged Honduras to prevent further movements of people.

Mexico, it said, was committed to orderly and regulated migration and would oppose any form of unauthorized entry.

The first migrant caravan of the year comes less than a week before US President-elect Joe Biden takes office promising a more humane approach to migration, in contrast to outgoing President Donald Trump’s hardline policies.

Mexican and Central American authorities have coordinated security and public health measures aimed at deterring mass movements of people across the region.

Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico have deployed thousands of security forces, and Guatemala detained hundreds of migrants on Friday.

The caravan nevertheless grew considerably into Saturday, with members citing a spiraling crisis of hunger and homelessness in Honduras as reasons for joining.

“We have nothing to feed to our children, and thousands of us were left sleeping on the streets,” said Maria Jesus Paz, a mother of four children who said she lost her home in the hurricanes. “This is why we make this decision, even though we know that the journey could cost us our lives,” she added.

Coronavirus-related lockdowns shattered Honduras’ economy, which last year suffered its worst contraction on record.

“First I lost my job because of the pandemic, and then I lost my home in the hurricanes,” said Melvin Paredes, who joined the caravan with his brother. “The only thing I have left is to fight for my family’s survival.”

Reuters