Pompeo Accuses Migrant Caravan of Inciting Violence

By Shani Saxon Oct 22, 2018

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is hyper focused on thousands of Central American migrants currently marching north to Mexico’s southern border. The large group of men, women and children, many of whom say they are escaping violence and unemployment in Honduras, have faced aggression from police officials throughout their journey, with Guatemalan officers attempting to block the group from crossing a bridge into Mexico, and with Mexican officials at one point firing tear gas into the crowd. 

Although there have been no confirmed reports of violence initiated by the travelers, Pompeo said in a statement on Sunday, "We also are deeply concerned by the violence provoked by some members of the group, as well as the apparent political motivation of some organizers of the caravan," reports NBC News

It remains unclear what violence he was referring to, but Pompeo says this is “the largest issue that we face today.” He added, “We are quickly reaching a point which appears to be a moment of crisis.” 

The U.S. Secretary of State met with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray Caso over the weekend to address the traveling migrants, a group that has swelled to roughly 7,000 people, according to NBC. The Trump administration has been adamant that they want Mexico and Honduras to do whatever it takes to stop the procession from attempting to enter the U.S. “As President Trump has stated, consistent with U.S. law, the United States will not allow illegal immigrants to enter or remain in the United States," Pompeo said in a statement. 

Mexican officials are reportedly committed to keeping Trump as happy as possible, but not at the risk of breaking any international laws. That’s why, according to The Washington Post, Mexico has asked the United Nations to step in and oversee “a migrant processing center near their southern border,” which Pompeo seems to agree is a fine idea. 

Pueblo Sin Fronteras, organizers of the caravan of migrants, have accused the Mexican and Guatemalan governments of using “excessive violence” to stop the group, and insist they are actually doing Washington’s “dirty work” in their fight against people seeking a better life. 

The group posted a statement online admonishing Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández and leaders of Mexico. "We’ve already seen that the Mexican government has bent under the pressure of the U.S. government and that it has become an accomplice to the illegitimate, repressive government of Juan Orlando Hernández," it read.