Weary migrants wait at Guatemala roadblock

VADO HONDO, Guatemala — Hundreds of Honduran migrants awoke tired and hungry Monday after a second night blocked along a rural Guatemalan roadside by police and soldiers.

A steep mountain and tall wall flanking the rural highway have allowed Guatemalan authorities to bottle up the group that had numbered about 2,000 when it pushed into Guatemala, Friday.

Their ranks have reduced through attrition as some migrants have agreed to be bused back to the Honduran border. A smaller number have been forcefully sent back after scuffling with authorities who held their line with baton strikes and tear gas.

Guatemala’s immigration authorities said Monday another group of about 800 migrants had been located about 40 kilometres farther north along the highway near Rio Hondo. They are also blocked from advancing there, but authorities said they negotiated opening one lane of traffic.

Some 8,000 to 9,000 Honduran migrants were believed to have entered Guatemala in the year’s first caravan after departing from San Pedro Sula, Honduras early Friday.