Thread: Honduran migrant caravan of 2,000 crosses Guatemala border, US-bound

Honduran migrant caravan crosses Guatemala border, US-bound


Hundreds of Hondurans are blocked at the border crossing in Agua Caliente, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. A caravan of Honduran migrant moved towards the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (Moises Castillo)


By SONIA PEREZ D.Associated Press | October 15, 2018 at 3:41 PM CDT - Updated October 15 at 4:41 PM

OCOTOPEQUE, Honduras (AP) — A caravan of hundreds of Honduran migrants crossed the Guatemalan border under a broiling sun Monday hoping to make it to new lives in the United States, far from the poverty and violence of their home nation.

Singing the Honduran national anthem, praying and chanting, "Yes, we can," the group estimated at 1,600 or more insisted on traveling through Guatemala and Mexico in defiance of a Guatemalan order that the group not be allowed to pass.

"We have rights," the migrants shouted.

Keilin Umana, a 21-year-old who is two months pregnant, said she was moved to migrate to save herself and her unborn child after she was threatened with death.

"A letter arrived at my house saying I could not stay, that I had to leave, or else they were going to kill me," said Umana, who is a nurse.


Guatemalan police agents block the border crossing where hundreds of Honduran migrants have arrived, in Agua Caliente, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. The caravan of Honduran migrants moved towards the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)

"I was in hiding awhile," she added. "It's because I have this tattoo on my hand — it's not a gang thing. Look, it's the name of my father and mother."

Umana said she had been walking for four days. "We are not criminals — we are migrants," she said.


Hondurans march in a caravan of migrants moving toward the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States, in Ocotepeque, Honduras, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. The group has grown to an estimated 1,600 people from an initial 160 who first gathered early Friday in a northern Honduras city. They plan to try to enter Guatemala on Monday. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)


Many in the caravan traveled light, with just backpacks and bottles of water. Some pushed toddlers in strollers or carried them on their shoulders.

Carlos Cortez, a 32-year-old farmer traveling on foot with his 7-year-old son, said the poverty back home has made it impossible to support a family.


Hondurans march in a caravan of migrants moving toward the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States, in Ocotepeque, Honduras, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. The group has grown to an estimated 1,600 people from an initial 160 who first gathered early Friday in a northern Honduras city. They plan to try to enter Guatemala on Monday. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)


"Every day I earn about $5," Cortez said. "That isn't enough to feed my family."


The caravan was met at the border by about 100 Guatemalan police officers. After a tense standoff of about two hours, the migrants began walking again. The outnumbered police did nothing to stop them, merely accompanying them several miles (kilometers) into Guatemalan territory.


Hundreds of Hondurans are blocked at the border crossing in Agua Caliente, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. A caravan of Honduran migrant moved towards the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)

Some police and Guatemalan civilians offered the migrants water, and some locals drove Hondurans part of the way. Red Cross workers gave medical attention to some migrants who fainted in the heat.


The caravan began as about 160 people who first gathered early Friday to depart from San Pedro Sula, one of Honduras' most dangerous places, figuring that traveling as a group would make them less vulnerable to robbery, assault and other dangers common on the migratory path through Central America and Mexico.


Hondurans march in a caravan of migrants moving toward the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States, in Ocotepeque, Honduras, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. The group has grown to an estimated 1,600 people from an initial 160 who first gathered early Friday in a northern Honduras city. They plan to try to enter Guatemala on Monday. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)


Local media coverage prompted hundreds more to join, and Dunia Montoya, a volunteer assisting the migrants, estimated Sunday that the group had grown to at least 1,600 people. Police gave their own estimate of around 2,000 on Monday.


The caravan formed a day after U.S. Vice President Mike Pence urged the presidents of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to persuade their citizens to stay home and not put their families in danger by undertaking the risky journey to the United States.



Hondurans march in a caravan of migrants moving toward the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States, in Ocotepeque, Honduras, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. The group has grown to an estimated 1,600 people from an initial 160 who first gathered early Friday in a northern Honduras city. They plan to try to enter Guatemala on Monday. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)


In April, President Donald Trump threatened in April to withdraw foreign aid from Honduras and countries that allowed transit for a similar caravan that set out from the Central American country. That caravan dwindled as the group approached the U.S. border, with some giving up along the way and others splitting off to try to cross on their own.

Historian Dana Frank, an expert on human rights and U.S. policy in Honduras, said the caravan could have political implications in the United States less than a month before the midterm elections.


Guatemalan police agents block the border crossing where hundreds of Honduran migrants have arrived, in Agua Caliente, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. The caravan of Honduran migrants moved towards the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)


"Whatever the caravan's origins, some in the United States will be quick to raise alarms about a supposed dangerous immigrant invasion, and use that to try to influence the upcoming U.S. elections," Frank said. "Others will view these migrants with compassion and as further evidence of the need for comprehensive immigration reform, a loving approach to those in such terrible straits and an end to U.S. support for the repressive Honduran government that is behind this humanitarian disaster."

Frank added that the caravan's rapid growth "underscores quite how desperate the Honduran people are — that they'd begin walking toward refuge in the United States with only a day back full of belongings."


Guatemalan police agents block the border crossing to a Honduran migrant caravan in Agua Caliente, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. Hundreds Hondurans have joined a caravan of migrants moving toward the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)

Honduras is largely dominated by murderous gangs that prey on families and businesses, and routinely sees homicide rates that are among the highest in the world.

Mexico's Interior Ministry issued a reminder over the weekend that Mexico does not issue entry visas for those who don't meet "the requirements to transit toward a neighboring country." Also, Mexico said it issues visas at its consulates abroad, not at border entry points.

http://www.wlox.com/2018/10/15/hondu...temala-border/

Guatemala to reject caravan of 1,600 Honduran migrants heading to border

Incoming Mexican government rejects US offer to fund deportations

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

Honduran migrant caravan crosses Guatemala border, US-bound


Hundreds of Hondurans are blocked at the border crossing in Agua Caliente, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. A caravan of Honduran migrant moved towards the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (Moises Castillo)


By SONIA PEREZ D.Associated Press | October 15, 2018 at 3:41 PM CDT - Updated October 15 at 4:41 PM

OCOTOPEQUE, Honduras (AP) — A caravan of hundreds of Honduran migrants crossed the Guatemalan border under a broiling sun Monday hoping to make it to new lives in the United States, far from the poverty and violence of their home nation.

Singing the Honduran national anthem, praying and chanting, "Yes, we can," the group estimated at 1,600 or more insisted on traveling through Guatemala and Mexico in defiance of a Guatemalan order that the group not be allowed to pass.

"We have rights," the migrants shouted.

Keilin Umana, a 21-year-old who is two months pregnant, said she was moved to migrate to save herself and her unborn child after she was threatened with death.

"A letter arrived at my house saying I could not stay, that I had to leave, or else they were going to kill me," said Umana, who is a nurse.


Guatemalan police agents block the border crossing where hundreds of Honduran migrants have arrived, in Agua Caliente, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. The caravan of Honduran migrants moved towards the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)

"I was in hiding awhile," she added. "It's because I have this tattoo on my hand — it's not a gang thing. Look, it's the name of my father and mother."

Umana said she had been walking for four days. "We are not criminals — we are migrants," she said.


Hondurans march in a caravan of migrants moving toward the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States, in Ocotepeque, Honduras, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. The group has grown to an estimated 1,600 people from an initial 160 who first gathered early Friday in a northern Honduras city. They plan to try to enter Guatemala on Monday. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)


Many in the caravan traveled light, with just backpacks and bottles of water. Some pushed toddlers in strollers or carried them on their shoulders.

Carlos Cortez, a 32-year-old farmer traveling on foot with his 7-year-old son, said the poverty back home has made it impossible to support a family.


Hondurans march in a caravan of migrants moving toward the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States, in Ocotepeque, Honduras, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. The group has grown to an estimated 1,600 people from an initial 160 who first gathered early Friday in a northern Honduras city. They plan to try to enter Guatemala on Monday. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)


"Every day I earn about $5," Cortez said. "That isn't enough to feed my family."


The caravan was met at the border by about 100 Guatemalan police officers. After a tense standoff of about two hours, the migrants began walking again. The outnumbered police did nothing to stop them, merely accompanying them several miles (kilometers) into Guatemalan territory.


Hundreds of Hondurans are blocked at the border crossing in Agua Caliente, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. A caravan of Honduran migrant moved towards the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)

Some police and Guatemalan civilians offered the migrants water, and some locals drove Hondurans part of the way. Red Cross workers gave medical attention to some migrants who fainted in the heat.


The caravan began as about 160 people who first gathered early Friday to depart from San Pedro Sula, one of Honduras' most dangerous places, figuring that traveling as a group would make them less vulnerable to robbery, assault and other dangers common on the migratory path through Central America and Mexico.


Hondurans march in a caravan of migrants moving toward the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States, in Ocotepeque, Honduras, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. The group has grown to an estimated 1,600 people from an initial 160 who first gathered early Friday in a northern Honduras city. They plan to try to enter Guatemala on Monday. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)


Local media coverage prompted hundreds more to join, and Dunia Montoya, a volunteer assisting the migrants, estimated Sunday that the group had grown to at least 1,600 people. Police gave their own estimate of around 2,000 on Monday.


The caravan formed a day after U.S. Vice President Mike Pence urged the presidents of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to persuade their citizens to stay home and not put their families in danger by undertaking the risky journey to the United States.



Hondurans march in a caravan of migrants moving toward the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States, in Ocotepeque, Honduras, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. The group has grown to an estimated 1,600 people from an initial 160 who first gathered early Friday in a northern Honduras city. They plan to try to enter Guatemala on Monday. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)


In April, President Donald Trump threatened in April to withdraw foreign aid from Honduras and countries that allowed transit for a similar caravan that set out from the Central American country. That caravan dwindled as the group approached the U.S. border, with some giving up along the way and others splitting off to try to cross on their own.

Historian Dana Frank, an expert on human rights and U.S. policy in Honduras, said the caravan could have political implications in the United States less than a month before the midterm elections.


Guatemalan police agents block the border crossing where hundreds of Honduran migrants have arrived, in Agua Caliente, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. The caravan of Honduran migrants moved towards the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)


"Whatever the caravan's origins, some in the United States will be quick to raise alarms about a supposed dangerous immigrant invasion, and use that to try to influence the upcoming U.S. elections," Frank said. "Others will view these migrants with compassion and as further evidence of the need for comprehensive immigration reform, a loving approach to those in such terrible straits and an end to U.S. support for the repressive Honduran government that is behind this humanitarian disaster."

Frank added that the caravan's rapid growth "underscores quite how desperate the Honduran people are — that they'd begin walking toward refuge in the United States with only a day back full of belongings."


Guatemalan police agents block the border crossing to a Honduran migrant caravan in Agua Caliente, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. Hundreds Hondurans have joined a caravan of migrants moving toward the country's border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (AP)

Honduras is largely dominated by murderous gangs that prey on families and businesses, and routinely sees homicide rates that are among the highest in the world.

Mexico's Interior Ministry issued a reminder over the weekend that Mexico does not issue entry visas for those who don't meet "the requirements to transit toward a neighboring country." Also, Mexico said it issues visas at its consulates abroad, not at border entry points.

http://www.wlox.com/2018/10/15/hondu...temala-border/

God Bless Guatemala, love the sight of those troops, thank you Guatemala, shut it down, turn this mob back. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!

It's a mob. Look at them. MOB!!!

"The caravan was met at the border by about 100 Guatemalan police officers. After a tense standoff of about two hours, the migrants began walking again. The outnumbered police did nothing to stop them, merely accompanying them several miles (kilometers) into Guatemalan territory."

A mob, no respect for authority, no regard for police or military, mob rule on the roads of Central America. These people aren't victims of crime in Honduras, they are the crime of Honduras and showing that fully every day.

If they were really fleeing the violence, would they be waving the flag and singing the national anthem of Honduras as they march?

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

"The caravan was met at the border by about 100 Guatemalan police officers. After a tense standoff of about two hours, the migrants began walking again. The outnumbered police did nothing to stop them, merely accompanying them several miles (kilometers) into Guatemalan territory."

That is probably about 2 hours longer than the US will hold them off once they get here. The US is most likely rolling out the Welcome mat at the moment.

These people are the violence of Honduras. Look at them? They're radical drug runners wanting into the US to make more money off the drug trade. They can't work in the US, they're illegal aliens. They can't draw welfare or other public assistance, they're illegal aliens. The only thing they can do here is run drugs and engage in other criminal enterprises controlled by the drug cartels. And that's exactly why they're coming here. That's who is protecting them. That's who the "organizer", Fuentes, works for.