Mexico’s president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, made a startling revelation on Monday, stating that approximately 10,000 migrants are daily heading towards the U.S. border. López Obrador placed the blame squarely on U.S. economic sanctions imposed on nations such as Cuba and Venezuela for the surge in migrant numbers.
In his address, President López Obrador pointed out that the influx of migrants at Mexico’s northern border with the United States is partly attributable to nearly 6,000 migrants per day crossing into Mexico from Guatemala over the past week. Many of these migrants are traversing a challenging route through Central America, which includes the dense and treacherous jungle-clad Darien Gap region, located between Panama and Colombia.
Remarkably, López Obrador’s remarks align with those of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, both of whom attribute the situation to U.S. sanctions on countries like Venezuela and Cuba. Notably, citizens from these nations constitute a significant portion of the migrant flow. Experts, however, contend that economic mismanagement and political repression in these countries are the primary driving factors behind the wave of migrants seeking refuge elsewhere.
It’s worth noting that the United States has imposed sanctions on both Venezuela and Cuba, citing concerns about the suppression of democracy in these nations. President López Obrador raised questions about the motivation behind these sanctions, suggesting they stem from ideological differences rather than a genuine commitment to uphold human rights. He firmly asserted that “sanctions and blockades cannot be maintained.”
Criticism has also been directed towards Petro’s government in Colombia for its perceived inaction in curbing the rampant smuggling of migrants through the country. Likewise, President López Obrador’s administration has faced criticism for not taking more substantial measures to deter migrants from hitching rides on freight trains bound for the U.S. border. The issue reached a tipping point when the country’s largest railway line halted some trains last month, citing safety concerns.
In a broader context, President López Obrador has also expressed reservations about U.S. aid provided to Ukraine and has called for a reallocation of funds towards economic development in Latin America. He asserted, “They (the U.S.) don’t do anything. It’s more, a lot more, what they authorize for the war in Ukraine than what they give to help with poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean.” López Obrador emphasized the need for the U.S. to remove blockades and cease harassing independent nations, advocating for an integrated cooperation plan to address the root causes that compel Venezuelans, Cubans, Nicaraguans, Ecuadorians, Guatemalans, and Hondurans to seek emigration.
In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable surge in the number of Venezuelan migrants transiting through Mexico en route to the U.S. border. These migrants cite deteriorating economic and political conditions in their home country as the impetus for their arduous journeys.
While Mexico has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it maintains a policy of neutrality and abstains from participating in sanctions. Furthermore, Mexico continues to procure 2020-vintage COVID vaccines from Russia and Cuba.
