Images at southern border 'wound the soul,' says Mexican bishop

Jan 24, 2020
by David Agren, Catholic News Service



Members of Mexico's National Guard block migrants in Ciudad Hidalgo, part of a caravan traveling to the United States near the border between Guatemala and Mexico. Hundreds of Central American migrants waded across the Suchiate River into southern Mexico in a new test of U.S. President Donald Trump's Central America strategy to keep them away from the U.S. border. (CNS/Reuters/Jose Torres)


MEXICO CITY — The secretary-general of the Mexican bishops' conference expressed dismay at the sight of Mexican security forces scuffling with a caravan of Central American migrants trying to enter the country via its southern border with Guatemala.

"We make a strong call for the (National Immigration Institute) and the (National Guard) to carry out its work respecting the dignity and (human rights) of migrants, avoiding all aggression and damages (against) these brothers, whose only crime is seeking a better life," tweeted Auxiliary Bishop Alfonso Miranda Guardiola of Monterrey.

"These images wound the soul and show Mexico, as the elder brother (in the region,) kicking its younger Central American brother," Miranda continued, referencing Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who recently described Mexico as assuming an "elder brother" role in Latin America.

Hundreds of caravan travelers forded the Suchiate River, which separates Mexico and Guatemala, Jan. 20, only to be rebuffed by members of Mexico's National Guard, who used tear gas on the migrants, along with physical force.

More:
https://www.ncronline.org/news/justice/images-southern-border-wound-soul-says-mexican-bishop