Mexico: Migrant caravan reaches Mexico City November 5

Event

At least 2000 migrants in a caravan, mainly carrying Hondurans, arrived in Mexico City on Monday, November 5. Thousands of migrants filled up the Jesus Martinez sports stadium and were given food, tents, and mattresses. Many of the migrants reached Mexico City after crossing Guatemala and southern Mexico by foot over a period of three weeks. Several thousand more migrants are reportedly still en route to Mexico City. The other two migrant groups that are heading north include a group that recently crossed the Suchiate River and another that is heading north from Mexico's southern Chiapas state.

Increased security measures are to be anticipated at border crossings between Mexico and the US in the coming days and weeks as the caravans continue to travel north en route to the US. More US military units are reportedly being deployed to outposts along the border from Texas to California. Heightened security measures have also been reported at the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge near the Rio Grande Valley - the shortest route from Central America to the US.

Context

The initial group of migrants left San Pedro Sula (Honduras) on October 13, growing in size as it passed through Honduras and Guatemala.

Advice

Individuals in the abovementioned countries are advised to stay abreast of the situation, keep their distance from the caravan, and avoid land border crossings if possible over the coming days.