MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Mexico begins “permanent deployment” of federal forces along Guatemala border

General Vicente Antonio Hernandez told reporters that in addition to the Suchiate River deployment, the National Guard were also deployed at 61 migrant crossings

The Mexican government on Wednesday began a “permanent deployment” of federal forces along the Suchiate River on the border with Guatemala to prevent the entry of migrants, a senior officer said.

General Vicente Antonio Hernandez told reporters that in addition to the Suchiate River deployment, members of the country's National Guard were also deployed at 61 migrant crossings in the southern state of Chiapas.

The general added that since May, 20,400 migrants had been “rescued” from organized crime and 30 human traffickers arrested.

“We would be very irresponsible if we continue to let them go on,” he said, recalling the case of a Salvadoran migrant who drowned with his toddler daughter while trying to cross the Rio Grande to reach the United States.

Trump threatened in May to impose tariffs on all Mexican goods if the country did not do more to slow the flow of Central American migrants crossing the US-Mexican border.

After a week of tense negotiations, the two sides announced a deal on Jun 7 under which Mexico agreed to send thousands of National Guardsmen to secure its borders and expand its policy of taking back asylum-seekers while the US processes their claims.