Migrant Caravan Members Clash With Mexican Troops as They Try to Make Their Way North

Video taken in southern Mexico shows members of a migrant caravan clashing with Mexican national guardsmen after entering the country. 

According to local media, over 800 of the migrants were arrested on Thursday in the town of Frontera Hidalgo after crossing from Guatemala. The Associated Press reports the migrants were trying to negotiate Mexican authorities to let them get "permits for free transit through Mexico to the United States."

Once it became clear they were not going to leave, the national guardsmen in riot gear approached the crowd, resulting in fights. Pepper spray was used to subdue the migrants, who were then put onto buses.

The migrant caravan comprised a mix of Guatemalans, El Salvadorians, and Hondurans. 

Absolute insanity in southern Mexico. Migrants versus military.

Not sure who recorded it. Will give appropriate credit once I find out. pic.twitter.com/UMKx5rVRLb

— Emily Green (@emilytgreen) January 23, 2020

Mexico has taken more steps to prevent large caravans from reaching the United States after much pressure from President Trump's administration. In addition to having asylum seekers stay in Mexico, under the "Remain in Mexico" policy, as their claims are processed, the Mexican government stood up its own National Guard.

The Mexican National Guard has been busy stopping the many caravans that have been attempting to reach the United States.

The scene has calmed but still very tense. Long long line of Mexican National Guard blocking hundreds of migrants from leaving the river bank pic.twitter.com/EJrZq6t1m7

— James Fredrick (@jameslfredrick) January 20, 2020

Enfrentamientos entre integrantes de la #CaravanaMigrante y la #GuardiaNacional de #México al cruzar el Río Suchiate que divide #Guatemala y México#Honduras
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pic.twitter.com/9G9ol1IEOy

— Carlos Mendoza (@_Cmendoza) January 20, 2020