Mexico disperses migrant caravans heading to US ahead of Trump inauguration

The Mexican government is stepping up efforts to break up migrant caravans attempting to make the dangerous journey north to the U.S. as President-elect Trump’s inauguration approaches. With the looming threat of hefty tariffs on Mexican goods under the new administration, authorities are scattering migrants across the country to keep them far from the U.S. border. This includes dropping them off in the once thriving tourist destination of Acapulco, a beach resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast that has fallen victim to organized crime and has one of the highest homicide rates in the country.

Despite the government’s efforts, migrants are being left in Acapulco with little support and limited options. The strategy of “dispersion and exhaustion” involves allowing migrants to walk for days until they are physically drained, before offering to bus them to various cities where their immigration status will supposedly be reviewed. However, many migrants report being abandoned in Acapulco after accepting offers from immigration officials under false pretenses.

Desperate migrants can be seen sleeping in the streets in makeshift tents, expressing fears of being targeted by Mexico’s drug cartels for kidnapping and extortion. Some migrants also allege that authorities are extorting them as well. Ender Antonio Castañeda, a 28-year-old Venezuelan, recounted how he and thousands of others left Tapachula near the Guatemalan border in the hopes of reaching the U.S. before Trump assumes office.

President-elect Trump has reiterated his threats of imposing a 25% tariff on Mexican imports, prompting Mexico to disperse migrants in an attempt to reduce their numbers and alleviate pressure from the incoming administration. Trump has vowed to crack down on illegal crossings and deportations, appointing hardliners to key positions within the Department of Homeland Security.

In a recent press briefing, Trump reaffirmed his intentions to hold Mexico accountable for allowing migrants to enter the U.S. He also announced plans to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America as part of his tough stance on border security. The situation remains fluid as migrants continue to navigate the treacherous journey north, facing uncertainty and challenges along the way.