Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo said he has reinforced border surveillance due to the entry of hundreds of Mexicans fleeing violence from drug trafficking groups.
Since July 23, hundreds of Mexicans have entered Guatemala from the state of Chiapas to escape violence. Of these, 207 received a humanitarian permit to stay.
Bernardo Arévalo said: “We are working on our side with the Ministry of Defense and the National Civil Police” to prevent violence from reaching Guatemalan territory.
The Guatemalan president said that this reinforcement aims to guarantee “the security of Guatemalans” and prevent “the problems that exist on the other side (of the border) from affecting” the country.
According to the Insight Crime analysis center, two cartels are fighting for control of border towns, which are key for drug, arms and migrant trafficking that cross Mexico to reach the United States.
The 207 Mexicans who received a 30-day humanitarian residence permit in Guatemala remain in the municipality of Cuilco, where they receive assistance.
Bernardo Arévalo said that they also have, “in the case of the communities that arrived in Cuilco, an entire inter-institutional structure to be able to welcome the Mexican brothers who are fleeing violence.”
He also commented that the two countries are coordinating efforts to “be able to provide the necessary humanitarian attention to the refugees and facilitate, for those who want, the conditions for their safe return” to Mexico.
Source: xeu
