A caravan of over 4000 migrants from Honduras who were trying to reach the US while travelling through most of Central America were broken up by Guatemalan security forces on Monday, reported AFP. 

The forces approached the caravan in a coordinated manner while hitting their batons on their shields, which intimidated the crowd to disperse in various directions. 

The group was reportedly dispersed to clear a road in the town of Vado Hondo, which was occupied since Saturday. The blockade resulted in a pile-up of cargo trucks waiting to pass through. 

Also Read: Guatemala police fire tear gas, disperse US-bound migrant caravan

A day before the incident, police and armed forces of Guatemala, who had permission to use batons and tear gas, had a violent encounter with the migrants. They were under strict instructions to stop all migrants from going further who failed to present a negative COVID-19 test and valid travel documents.  

According to a report published by the Health Ministry of Guatemala, at least 21 migrants from the Honduran caravan have already tested positive for COVID-19 while travelling further. 

Guillermo Diaz, the Guatemalan migration head, insisted on Saturday that the group “will not be able to pass”, citing coronavirus contagion risk.

The migrants say they are fleeing poverty, unemployment, gang and drug violence, as well as the aftermath of two violent hurricanes that hit the country last November, reported AFP. 

Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras have an agreement with the United States to stop north-bound migratory flows from the south of the continent.

Also Read: Group of US-bound Honduran migrants in Guatemala swells to 9,000

The migrant caravans in Honduras in Central America, planning to walk thousands of kilometers to the United States via Guatemala and Mexico, in search of a better life under the new administration of President Joe Biden, reported AFP. 

Guatemala’s government had previously warned that anyone wanting to pass through its territory must show a negative coronavirus test and have their papers in order, reported AFP. 

Mexico’s consulate in San Pedro Sula, from where caravans usually leave, warned that its government “does not encourage and will not allow the illegal entry of caravans.”