In southern Mexico, a new caravan of about 1,500 migrants has formed, with the majority hailing from Central and South America. These migrants are embarking on this journey with the hope of reaching the U.S. border, some expressing a desire to arrive before the upcoming inauguration in January. The caravan commenced its journey from Tapachula, near the Guatemala border, where numerous migrants are currently stranded due to lack of permission to proceed further into Mexico.
Migrant caravans, which first emerged in 2018, serve as a last resort for impoverished migrants who cannot afford smugglers. Traveling in larger groups provides a level of safety, making it challenging for authorities to detain them. However, these caravans face threats from drug cartels in Mexico, who engage in trafficking and often extort or abduct migrants. The arduous journey, spanning over 1,100 miles to the nearest border crossing, presents significant obstacles such as extreme heat, dehydration, and the risk of exploitation by criminal organizations.
