Fights Break Out Inside the Latest Migrant Caravan, Which Has Walked Fewer Than 90 Miles in Eight Days
Breitbart, citing the Mexican paper La Jornada, says at least four people were hurt in the 'Fe y Esperanza #2' group of about 500. DHS has said there is 'ZERO chance' it will be allowed into the United States.
The migrant caravan heading north through southern Mexico is moving slowly and fighting within its own ranks, Breitbart reports, relying on Mexican press accounts.
The pace. Citing La Jornada, a Mexico City daily, Breitbart says the group called "Fe y Esperanza #2" is heading toward Pijijiapan in Chiapas and has walked fewer than 90 miles in eight days. It left Tapachula on Oct. 20 and has dealt with bad weather on the southern coastal highway. Breitbart estimates it at 500 people or more.
The fights. While the group rested in Mapastepec, an alcohol-fueled fight left Marvin Najera, a Honduran, with knife wounds, and emergency crews treated him. After the group left, another fight left a Central American migrant with hand injuries, treated by Mexico's Civil Protection officials. On Monday, migrants attacked Jose Ramirez, a Honduran, who had back injuries and was treated but not hospitalized, and a Venezuelan man was arrested. Days earlier in Huixtla, another drinking-related fight left one more person with minor injuries. Breitbart says no serious injuries have been reported, but police and medics had to step in.
The complaints. Some marchers have asked Mexican authorities for better security and for food, diapers and public bathrooms. One Honduran told La Jornada: "We ask the government if they can support us with a little food, diapers for the children, or public bathrooms because here, they are very expensive, they are charging us 20 pesos just to go and urinate."
The U.S. line. Breitbart notes DHS posted on X on Oct. 21 that "there is absolutely ZERO chance this caravan will be allowed into the United States," and added this week: "We will protect our borders, America is a nation, not an economic zone." It also says some marchers were deported in recent months, and that re-entry after removal is a federal felony carrying up to two years in prison for a first offense and up to 20 years with an aggravated felony record. It repeats earlier Breitbart Texas reporting that many marchers plan to wait near the border in hope a Democratic midterm win would mean a less secure border.
Note for readers: the injury and arrest details come from La Jornada as relayed by Breitbart, which we have not independently checked. The author is a retired Border Patrol division chief. Our earlier story on DHS's "zero chance" statement is on the site.