Migrants Tear Gassed at Mexico-Guatemala Border

A Honduran migrant, part of a caravan trying to reach the U.S., protects her child | Photo: Reuters

Hundreds at the head of the migrant caravan from Honduras poured through the Guatemalan border posts and onto the bridge into Mexico Friday. They were then forced back by dozens of Mexican police bearing shields, several said they were teargassed.

Hilda Rosa, who made the journey from Honduras with her four teenage children, along with thousands of other Reuters: "You know why: no work, violence."

Rosa says she, like many others, has no idea how to get the documentation needed for entry into Mexico but is willing to try.

"No, I'll fight. I'll try again," she said, pumping her fist in the air.

Hundreds at the front of the caravan camped out overnight on a bridge separating Guatemala and Mexico with many squeezed against a metal border gate, Reuters reports.

Osman Melgar was among them, nursing a bleeding gash on his shin. He suffered the wound after falling as dozens of people fled the packed bridge when police used tear gas, according to several eyewitnesses.

Mexico's government says it will process migrants' claims for asylum on a case-by-case basis. While United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met top officials in Mexico City urging the Mexican government to prevent the procession from reaching the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Central American governments to stop the caravan or else he will revoke financial aid to those countries.

Honduras and Guatemala said Friday they were mobilizing resources to return Honduran migrants to their homeland. Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez is due to meet his Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales Saturday to organize a strategy for returning the Honduran migrants.

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