Thousands of Venezuelans who fled their country due to the political crisis are preparing to embark on a caravan to the United States from the southern border of Mexico. In the Bicentenario park, the central point of irregular migration, migrants asked the governments of Mexico and the United States to consider their situation.
Carlos Enrique, who left Venezuela after the July elections, explained that he escaped out of fear for his life due to his opposition to the government of Nicolás Maduro. His final destination is the United States, and after crossing Central America, he will meet with other migrants to travel to Mexico City and then to the northern border.
During the afternoon, authorities approached the migrants to raise awareness about the dangers of traveling irregularly, including climatic risks, physical dangers, and the possibility of facing situations that could endanger their lives during long walks on the road. They were also informed about how to start the process to apply for asylum in Mexico and to regularize their migratory situation legally.
The caravan, mainly composed of Venezuelans but also including migrants from other countries such as Colombia, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Haiti, Peru, and Ecuador, will have the assistance of the National Institute of Migration of Mexico to prevent migrants from walking in groups during the early morning.
The Mexican government deployed an operation in Bicentenario park with buses to offer transport to the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, preventing migrants from having to walk long distances. Many migrants, like Carlos, accepted the help and boarded the buses to reach Tuxtla Gutiérrez in six hours instead of walking for three or four days.
Antonio Sánchez, originally from Honduras, expressed satisfaction with the assistance from the Mexican government, mentioning that it will prevent them from traversing dangerous areas. They will be granted a 10-day permit to await their appointment at the U.S. immigration portal, CBP ONE.