Hundreds of migrants, estimated at round 5,000, have launched into a northward journey from Mexico’s southern border towards the USA.
Comprising people from Central America, Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti, their march resonates with the collective frustration over the extended visa processing instances on the major migrant processing heart in Tapachula, close to Guatemala.
Mexican authorities and their response
Typically forming an elongated path alongside highways, the migrants often obtain escorts from the police.
Primarily, the police’s position is to make sure the highways stay unblocked and to discourage the migrants from in search of rides from passing automobiles.
Whereas giant migrant caravans had been notably important throughout 2018 and 2019, the latest surge has seen figures rising as much as 10,000 migrants on the U.S. border in latest instances.
Persistent vacationers: A Venezuelan perspective
In line with experiences, Daniel González, a Venezuelan migrant, stated they’ve been on the transfer for roughly three months, with no intention of stopping.
González expressed that the unhelpful state of affairs in Tapachula and worsening financial circumstances in Venezuela have given them little alternative however to proceed.
Traditionally, Mexico’s response has leaned in the direction of ready out the marchers till exhaustion units in, after which they’re supplied rides again dwelling or redirected to smaller processing facilities.
Organizers converse out
Irineo Mújica, a pivotal determine in organizing the march, highlighted the depressing avenue life that many migrants face in Tapachula.
Advocating for transit visas, Mújica’s demand is easy: permit migrants to traverse Mexico and attain the U.S. border.
He claims the authorities have been negligent, leading to stranded migrants with diminishing hopes.
The migrant’s plight illustrated
In line with experiences, the story of Honduran migrant, Leonel Olveras, epitomizes the challenges they face.
It’s reported that Mújica wrote in a message that the group had solely made it about 9 miles (14 kilometers), and had stopped to spend the evening within the city of Alvaro Obregon.
He added that the group deliberate to attempt to cowl extra distance within the coming days, however that the variety of girls and youngsters needed to be taken into consideration.
Rising strain on the U.S. southwestern border
The U.S.’ southwestern border grapples with a mounting inflow of South American migrants.
Their journey, which features a swift passage by the Darien Hole between Colombia and Panama, has seen staggering numbers. By September, data indicated that 420,000 migrants, facilitated by Colombian smugglers, had traversed this hole inside the 12 months.
