The Ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs report that they were providing ongoing attention and humanitarian assistance to the almost 4,500 migrants on the Rodolfo Robles bridge between Mexico and Guatemala on October 19, while fully respecting their human rights.  

As a result of the discussions with the migrants and the information provided to them, as well as the inter-institutional deployment carried out by Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, the following has been done: 

1.     640 individuals were channeled in an orderly and safe manner to facilities of the National Institute of Migration (INM), giving priority to family groups, especially those with children, adolescents, women, pregnant women and older adults. These migrants expressed their interest in applying for asylum, and have been sent to a Mexican facility to be assisted by the INM in Tapachula, Chiapas. Personnel from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the National Human Rights Commission have accompanied the INM and the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid (COMAR) as they assist this group in a timely fashion.

2.     Through the efforts of the governments of Honduras and Guatemala, about 500 people who voluntarily expressed their interest in returning to their hometowns in Honduras were assisted. Another group of around 1,000 migrants in Guatemala are being assisted with their repatriation. 

3.     Of the almost 900 migrants who have put their lives at risk by trying to enter Mexico at unofficial crossing points such as the Suchiate River, Mexican authorities have proceeded and will continue to rescue them, and they will be subject to the administrative procedures established by Mexican legislation and, if applicable, repatriated to their home countries.  

4.     To the roughly 2,220 migrants who remain on the border bridge, staff from Mexico's embassy in Guatemala and consulate in Tecún Umán have reiterated the information and requirements for entering Mexico, and have provided them with medical attention and water. 

 

 The Ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs appreciate the help and support that civil society organizations and others such as the Mexican Red Cross have offered to the migrants. Both ministries will continue to coordinate with these organizations and with federal, state and local governments that are assisting the migrants in Mexico.

The Mexican government reiterates its firm belief in addressing this situation on the southern border with full respect for the migrants' human rights and from a humanitarian perspective.