Guatemala forces stall migrants caravan trekking to US border
Guatemalan military and police forces are blocking thousands of Honduran migrants and asylum seekers hoping to make their way north to Mexico and the United States.
Security forces on Sunday used sticks and tear gas to beat back a large migrant caravan bound for the United States, just days before the advent of a new U.S. administration, which urged travelers to abandon the journey.
Thousands of Hondurans left San Pedro Sula as a group on Friday, making their way to the El Florido border crossing with Guatemala.
Between 7,000 and 8,000 people fleeing hurricane destruction, unemployment and violence in Honduras have crossed into Guatemala to date, according to Guatemalan immigration officials.
But amid a heavy security presence, their onward journey remains precarious and uncertain.
An initial group of several thousand migrants and asylum seekers made it 27 miles (43km) on foot into Guatemalan territory before soldiers and police blocking the highway stopped them. About 3,000 people who entered Guatemala on Saturday caught up on foot by Sunday morning.
Hundreds of migrants managed to push through military and police lines on Saturday, but when others unsuccessfully attempted to do so on Sunday morning, soldiers responded with batons and tear gas.
Migrants, soldiers and immigration officials suffered injuries, according to Guatemalan officials, who estimate 6,000 migrants remain on site in Vado Hondo.
Guatemalan military and police forces are blocking their advance, sometimes blocking the highway completely and at other times only letting vehicles and Guatemalans through.
Initially, some large groups of thousands of migrants and asylum seekers made it to the US southern border, but recent caravans have been stopped by Honduras and more recently Guatemala.
Some Central Americans hope crackdowns on migration and asylum will ease up once US president-elect Joe Biden takes office.
However, many analysts in the region expect US pressure on the Mexican and Central American governments to fortify their borders and block caravans will continue.
Both governments have stated they will not permit “irregular” immigration and cited public health as a justification for their heavy security response. Guatemala requires negative COVID-19 test results for entry.
