Thousands of Central American migrants continued to defy the Trump administration Friday; “crashing gates” and vowing to cross into Mexico despite multinational efforts to clamp down on the escalating crisis.
According to the Associated Press, “Thousands of migrants massed along Guatemala’s muddy Suchiate River crossing into Mexico on Friday, demanding to be let in despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of retaliation.”
“One way or another, we will pass,” chanted the undocumented workers.
“We are not smugglers, we are immigrants!” shouted the crowd.
Mexican authorities deployed hundreds of riot police in advance of the caravan; vowing to cooperate with the Trump administration and stop the flow of migrants as they rushed towards the United States’ southern border.
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CARAVAN CHAOS: The President May ‘CALL UP MILITARY’ to 'Close' US-Mexico Border
President Trump doubled-down on his demands that Central American nations block the growing “migrant caravan” before it reaches the United States’ southern border Thursday; saying he may “call up the military” to stem the escalating crisis.
The Commander-in-Chief issued his direct warning to El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico on social media as the growing “caravan” passed through Guatemala and headed towards the US.
“In addition to stopping all payments to these countries, which seem to have almost no control over their population, I must, in the strongest of terms, ask Mexico to stop this onslaught – and if unable to do so I will call up the U.S. Military and CLOSE OUR SOUTHERN BORDER!” posted the President.
….In addition to stopping all payments to these countries, which seem to have almost no control over their population, I must, in the strongest of terms, ask Mexico to stop this onslaught – and if unable to do so I will call up the U.S. Military and CLOSE OUR SOUTHERN BORDER!..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2018
The “caravan” is now estimated at several thousand people and will likely reach the United States-Mexico border crossing in Tijuana within days.
CARAVAN CRISIS: Trump Threatens to Cut Honduras Aid Over ‘Growing’ Migrant Caravan
President Donald Trump warned Honduras Tuesday that his administration is prepared to cut aid to the Central American country should they fail to crack down on a second migrant caravan making its way towards the United States’ southern border.
“The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!” tweeted the President.
The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2018
The second caravan this year reached 3,000 migrants and continued to grow as more workers joined fellow asylum seekers along the Honduras-Guatemala border.
“The impoverished nations of Central America, from which thousands of migrants have fled in recent years, are under mounting pressure from Trump’s administration to do more to curb mass migration,” reports Reuters.
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