Migrant Caravan in Tijuana: US Border Patrol fires tear gas after an attempt by a group of migrants to cross the fence



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Several hundred people from the Central American migrant caravan attempted Sunday to cross the border fence separating Mexico from the United States by the state of Tijuana.

But officers of the US Customs and Border Protection Department used tear gas to disperse the group, which included women and infants

circulating on social networks show a dozen people rushing to the fence as well as tear gas clouds rising in the air.

This episode raises the tension felt by the region, and especially by Mexico, since the arrival of thousands of migrants from Central America earlier this month, who claimed to be fleeing their country. violence and poverty.

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As a result of these incidents, the municipal police announced in a statement that 39 people were arrested .

Mexico's Interior Secretary, Alfonso Navarrete, badured the Mexican newspaper Milenio that at least 500 of the migrants who were trying to enter the United States by force would be expelled.

At least 500 migrants, housed in a shelter near the border, crossed the security barrier of El Chaparral, where they went to the demonstration. According to the Mexican authorities, they were allowed to cross the border.

The group started running towards the channel of the Tijuana River, close to the San Ysidro border crossing. [19] 659013] Caravan. ” width=”976″ height=”549″ data-highest-encountered-width=”624″/> Copyright of the Image GETTY IMAGES

Image Caption The incident has raised tensions in the region.

For this reason, the United States closed the border bridge. San Ysidro, through which vehicles and pedestrians pbad daily from Tijuana to San Diego

Upon arrival at the border, some members of the group began climbing the fence but were dispersed by the patrol borders on the American side. tear gas.

In some of the videos circulating on social networks, shots seem to be heard, although up until now no casualties were injured and that BBC Mundo did not could verify the veracity of these images.

 ] The gases in Tijuana. Copyright of the author REUTERS
Image caption Police used tear gas. in Tijuana among the thousands of Central Americans arrived in Mexico in several caravans in recent weeks.

Despite this Sunday's incidents, Ana Gabriela Rojas, BBC World's correspondent in Mexico, points out that "the vast majority of them have always been very peaceful and are at peace. "

According to their testimonies they flee persecution, poverty and violence in their country of origin.

Initially, their goal was to reach the United States.

However, waiting for their asylum application will be accepted by this country.

President Donald Trump has stepped up his tough line against immigration and urges migrants to stay on the Mexican side until the courts pronounce themselves. This process can take months.

"Acts of provocation"

The Secretary of the Interior of Mexico, Alfonso Navarrete, has stated in statements to the Mexican press that such incidents "did harm" to the group "because they become acts of provocation."

  A woman helping another to cross the fence. Copyright of the Image REUTERS
Image Caption At least 500 migrants will be deported, according to Mexico.

Mexico fears that what happened this Sunday affects the relaci ón with its neighbors.

Tijuana Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum said on Twitter that no such action will be allowed "outside the law".

The municipal police badured that several of the migrants had been placed at the disposal of the authorities to enable them to continue their judicial process.

"A Job and a Better Life"

At least d Migrants managed to cross the first fence, as confirmed by our correspondent.

That is when they tried to cross a second wall with spikes that US officials began to launch tear gas, reported the AFP news agency. ] Caravan. ” width=”976″ height=”549″ data-highest-encountered-width=”624″/> Copyright of the Image GETTY IMAGES

Image Caption Among the members of the group who attempted to cross were also mothers and grandparents. fathers with young children.

A reporter from the agency he saw migrants, including mothers and children, trying to protect themselves from gas, and some shouted that they only wanted to find a job and a better life in the United States.

A reporter from the US agency Associated Press (AP) reported seeing parents run away with strangled toddlers.

Ana Zúñiga, a 23-year-old Honduran migrant, attempted to cross with her three-year-old daughter. She told AP: "We ran, but the smoke is choking you more."

  Police. Copyright image GETTY IMAGES
Image caption group, there were also minors.

Trump threatened to close the entire border between the United States and Mexico earlier this week when it was planned to "lose control" of the situation.

he had agreed to the troops at the border to use force if necessary

The president deployed about 5,800 troops to his southern border. He predicted the caravan of "invasion" migrants.

  Line.

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