Migrant caravan from Honduras disbands in Guatemala

MEXICO CITY — A caravan of about 500 migrants that departed northern Honduras in hopes of reaching the U.S. disbanded Sunday after crossing the border into Guatemala, the Guatemalan Migration Institute reported.

Authorities had been monitoring three border crossings and said that part of the caravan advanced a few miles into Guatemalan territory before it was stopped by migration officials, who processed the migrants, with priority given to children.

According to the immigration agency, no force was used, and dialogue prevailed. Those who had documents were able to continue, as Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador have free transit among them. Those who did not have the necessary documents returned to Honduras.

The caravan left Saturday, walking from the bus terminal of San Pedro Sula in Honduras. It was the first such group to leave Honduras since January 2022.

The vast majority of migrants cross Central America and Mexico in small groups, using all types of transportation and smuggling networks. Only a few form caravans.