Leader tightens patrols along southern border
MEXICO CITY — Mexico has announced new restrictions on nonessential travel across its southern border with Guatemala and Belize “to prevent the spread of COVID19.”
The Foreign Relations Department did not explain why the measure was announced Thursday, more than a year after the start of the pandemic. But the result could help the administration of President Biden handle a wave of Central American migrants reaching the U.S. border and it came on the same day the U.S. confirmed it will send 2.5 million doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to Mexico.
Officials from both countries skirted the question of whether the vaccines were being sent to Mexico in return for its decision to restrict entry on its southern border, though they acknowledged the decision came in the context of current talks on vaccines and immigration.
White House press secretary Jenn Psaki said “there have been expectations set outside of — unrelated — to any vaccine doses or request for them that they would be partners in dealing with the crisis on the border.”
Mexico’s assistant health secretary, Hugo LopezGatell, said the country’s decision was triggered by the increasing number of migrants entering from Central America.
Mexico and the United States long ago imposed similar restrictions on Mexico’s northern border. But Mexico had previously been unwilling to impose them on the southern border or most flights entering Mexico.
The restrictions coincide with a huge increase in the number of Central American migrants reaching the U.S border through Mexico. The number of migrants attempting to cross the U.S. border has been growing since April, with the 100,441 reported last month the highest level since March 2019.
The measure bars migrants without visas from entering. The restrictions went into effect Friday.