Mexican authorities have moved to stop a group of around 100 Central American migrants attempting to travel north towards the United States, deploying security forces along a major road in the southern state of Chiapas.
The attempted crossing on Tuesday was the second migrant caravan movement in three days, following the arrival of a much larger group of approximately 1,000 migrants from Guatemala on Sunday.
Footage from local media showed members of Mexico’s National Guard, immigration officials and police officers blocking a road after the smaller group crossed the Suchiate River, which separates Mexico from Guatemala.
As security forces surrounded the migrants, several reportedly attempted to run away. Around 40 people were detained, according to reports from Tapachula, the city closest to the border.
Mexican immigration authorities had not immediately confirmed the reported arrests or responded to requests for comment.
The latest incident comes after another caravan of approximately 1,000 migrants entered Mexico on Sunday evening without encountering resistance.
The larger group stopped in Tapachula before continuing its journey towards the United States, despite the US border remaining largely closed to irregular migration.
Among those travelling north was 47-year-old Nicaraguan migrant Cesar Sandoval, who said reaching the United States remained the group’s main objective.
Sandoval expressed hope that the recent Democratic Party gains in the US midterm elections could create another opportunity for migrants seeking to enter the country.
He said he hoped newly elected Democratic lawmakers would remember the support they received from Hispanic and Latino voters and their families.
The US midterm elections saw Republicans lose seats to Democrats in several traditionally Republican-leaning states, including Texas, Kansas and parts of the Carolinas, amid voter concerns over rising living costs and the unpopular war with Iran.
Meanwhile, the caravan included families travelling with young children, babies and personal belongings. Some migrants were also accompanied by dogs as they walked along a highway near Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Members of the group carried national flags from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala as they continued north.
The latest movement represents the third migrant caravan to attempt the journey towards the United States since September.
The previous two groups were stopped in Chiapas before leaving the state. Mexican immigration authorities subsequently granted members temporary stay permits.
Migrant caravans have remained a recurring feature of migration through Mexico, with people from Central America travelling together in groups in an attempt to make the dangerous journey north.
For many, the decision to travel is driven by the search for employment, better living conditions and greater security.
Cristian Pablo, a 38-year-old migrant carrying Guatemala’s national flag, said he believed the United States offered better opportunities than Guatemala.
He expressed determination to continue the journey, saying he was relying on his faith as the group travelled north.
The latest developments highlight the continuing challenges facing migrants attempting to reach the United States through Mexico, as authorities maintain border controls and seek to prevent irregular migration.