Massive Migrant Caravan Grows as Thousands Gather in Mexico Before Blinken's Visit

A large group of migrants from Central and South America is making its way through Mexico towards the United States border. The caravan consists of around 8,000 people, including individuals of different ages and nationalities, such as Venezuela, Cuba, and Mexico. They are marching under a banner that reads "Poverty Exodus." This development comes just before the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Mexico City. Blinken intends to establish new agreements to regulate migration. The number of individuals apprehended at the US southern border exceeded two million in both the fiscal years of 2022 and 2023. In September 2023 alone, US Border Patrol detained over 200,000 migrants who crossed the US-Mexico border unlawfully, as reported by US Homeland Security authorities. The Christmas Eve caravan began its journey from Tapachula, a city in southern Mexico near the border with Guatemala. One Honduran migrant who joined the caravan stated that he was fleeing from a criminal gang called Maras, who had issued death threats against him. Jose Santos, in an interview with Reuters, expressed his fear and explained that he decided to come to Mexico with hopes of being allowed to enter the US. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced his willingness to collaborate with the US once again to address migration concerns. The Mexican leader is set to meet with the US secretary of state on Wednesday. In an official statement, the White House mentioned that Blinken would discuss the issue of "unprecedented irregular migration" in the Western Hemisphere and explore ways in which both countries can tackle border security challenges.