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Thousands of people join groups linked to the United States to flee a life of poverty and violence. Two devastating hurricanes hit the region late last year, exacerbating the economic strain caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Guatemala’s foreign ministry urged Honduran authorities to do more to “contain the mass departure of its residents” in a statement released on Saturday.
While not responding directly to Guatemala’s request, the National Institute of Migration of Honduras said on social media that it had reinforced three border points between the two countries with immigration inspectors.
Video captured by CNN on Saturday showed a large group of people walking past a cordon of Guatemalan soldiers to access highways to Mexico. Authorities estimated that nearly 3,500 people crossed the cordon.
Last October, the first large caravan of migrants to the United States since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic left San Pedro Sula, Honduras, for Guatemala with around 1,500 to 2,800 people.
Crossings at the US-Mexico border plunged during the 2020 lockdowns. Apprehensions in April hit their lowest level in years, with around 17,100 people.
Since then, apprehensions have steadily increased, with around 70,000 each in October, November and December, according to US customs and border protection statistics.
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