IXTEPEC, Mexico: Hundreds of migrants hoping to reach the United States boarded a freight train in southern Mexico late on Thursday, frustrated by efforts to slow their progress by the Mexican government, which is under pressure from US President Donald Trump.
The risky move to board the train, known as “La Bestia” (The Beast), followed a mass breakout of migrants from a holding centre in the southern border city of Tapachula on Thursday night. The government estimated some 1,300 people escaped but said a majority later returned to the centre.
Men, women and children from various countries boarded the slow train as it pulled out of the town of Arriaga in the southern state of Chiapas, Mexican media reported. Migration authorities said at least 395 people had boarded the train.
The large group descended from the train on Friday after it reached the town of Ixtepec to the northwest of Arriaga.
“We hope our God above will keep helping us. We had to keep moving forwards,” said Michael Hernandez, a Honduran, after disembarking. “They won’t let us walk, so we climbed on the train. It’s our only option.”
Erick Morazan, 28, a Honduran migrant in Zapata, a few towns north of Ixtepec, said he knew several people on the train, adding that he had wanted to jump aboard himself. “I know it’s very dangerous, but this is the life of a migrant,” he said by telephone.
Trump has threatened to close the US-Mexico border if the administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador does not put a stop to illegal immigrants reaching the US frontier.
Migrants are paying little heed so far. The breakout from the Tapachula holding centre was one of the biggest in recent years, and came after Mexico stepped up efforts to round up and send home migrants.
Mexico’s migration institute said on Friday that of the roughly 645 people who had fled, 35 people had since returned. It added in a statement that the group consisted largely of Cubans, who have been coming to Mexico in growing numbers. The Tapachula facility is holding 980 Cubans out of a total of 1,745 people.
Migrant advocacy groups have said the space is designed for about half of that number.
Cubans, and migrants from other regions outside Central America, have added to the pressure on Mexico’s already overwhelmed shelters and detention centres. — Reuters
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
