As caravan north treks, Trump threatens foreign aid cuts


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over and over, he's said if migrants are not stopped before they reach the US border, foreign aid will be cut.

All told, US aid planned for Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico in fiscal year 2019 adds up to nearly $ 260 million.

That's already in the past years. And threatening to cut the world is a high-profile way to the US to wield its global influence.

The aim of this project is to increase the effectiveness of migration, which is important for the development of the economy.

Here's a look at how it's planned for the next year in the country connected to the country – and some of the things it pays for:

Honduras

A caravan of Honduran migrants began training Saturday and reached Guatemala's border on Monday.
A Hondarribian state of the arts: improving conditions in Honduras so people will not migrate. "U.S. foreign assistance plays a critical role in Honduras' development as a safe, democratic, and prosperous nation that they hope will see their future in Honduras and elsewhere," the website says.

Aid from the US: $ 65.8 million

What it pays for: Aid to Honduras and other Central American countries promote prosperity and regional economic integration, enhance security and promote governance, according to the State Department. Among the things it funded in Honduras: rural development projects, reintegration for returning migrants and youth programs.

Guatemala

Police in Esquipulas, Guatemala, blocked the caravan for nearly two hours on Monday, before finally letting the group pass.
Of all the countries in Central America, Guatemala is set to receive the most foreign aid from the United States this year. Guatemalans also make the largest number of family members – and the largest number of unaccompanied minors – apprehended after illegally crossing the US border, according to US Customs and Border Protection. And it's becoming the top destination for US deportation flights.

Aid from the US: $ 69.4 million

What it pays for: Aid to Guatemala addresses "high levels of violence and insecurity, pervasive poverty and chronic malnutrition, and extreme vulnerability to the impacts of global climate change," according to the US government website that tracks foreign aid spending. Funding also focuses on agriculture, economic growth and food security.

El Salvador

Two groups of Hondurans are headed to the US border; the one who's gotten the most attention is passing through Guatemala. But there is also another group of hundreds trekking through El Salvador.

El Salvador has been a frequent target of the Trump administration's criticisms of illegal immigration, with officials often referring to MS-13 – the notorious street gang that has a significant stronghold in the Central American country. And more than 250,000 Salvadorans who have been legally deported next year, now that the US has announced it's ending their temporary protected status.

Aid from the US: $ 45.7 million

What it pays for: Aid to El Salvador provides greater levels of education and economic opportunities for "vulnerable youth in high-crime communities," the US government says. "Assistance will also strengthen the capacity of El Salvador's security forces and law enforcement agencies to contribute to international and domestic security."

mexico

President Trump deployed National Guard troops to the US-Mexico border when a caravan approached earlier this year. Now he's threatening to shut down the border entirely after a new caravan has formed.
So far, when he's threatened to the north, President Trump has not made mention of Mexico. And even though Trump's efforts to convince Mexico to do things like a wall Mexico's migration decisions influence Mexico's migration decisions.
In September the State Department Revealed to $ 20 Million to the Department of Homeland Security for a "migrant removals pilot" that could result in Mexico deporting up to 17,000 people. And on Thursday, Trump tweeted that he cares more about stopping "the assault on our country at our Southern border" than his recently renegotiated North American trade deal with Mexico and Canada.

Aid from the US: $ 78.9 million

What it pays for: Most of the foreign aid Mexico receives from the US comes as part of the Merida Initiative, which aims to help the country crack down on drug cartels. According to a Congressional Research Service report, the Trump Administration's funding for the initiative focuses on disrupting and destroying criminal organizations, in addition to "overcoming shared migration challenges, strengthening governance, and combating impunity."

Journalist Merlin Delcid Contributed to this report.

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