By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday, Nov. 13, that 24 migrant caravans have disbanded in southern Mexico since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, while authorities prepare to assist another group expected to depart Honduras on Sunday.
Speaking during her daily news conference, Sheinbaum said Mexican immigration officials have been informing migrants that restrictions imposed by the United States make crossing the northern border difficult. She said many migrants subsequently decide to return to their countries of origin, with Mexican authorities facilitating their return.
According to Reuters, Sheinbaum maintained that no organized migrant caravan was currently traveling through Mexico toward the U.S. border, despite reports of groups assembling in the country’s southern states.
The president said one caravan had largely dispersed, with most participants returning home, while another group was beginning to organize.
On Thursday, Sheinbaum described the government’s established procedures for responding to arriving migrants.
“Over the past two years, nearly ten or more such caravans have arrived,” Sheinbaum said. “While they are part of the caravan, arrangements are made to ensure they receive the minimum attention required regarding their human rights. There is a great deal of experience in handling this; it does not call for any special or extraordinary measures.”
During Friday’s briefing, Sheinbaum provided an updated figure of 24 caravans that had dissolved since Trump’s inauguration. She said most groups remained in Chiapas, near the Guatemalan border, and none had advanced beyond Oaxaca.
The Mexican government published Sheinbaum’s November 12 remarks, outlining procedures involving the National Migration Institute, humanitarian assistance and voluntary returns.
Sheinbaum said immigration officials meet with migrants individually to explain American entry restrictions and discuss their options. Those who qualify to remain in Mexico may pursue that possibility, while others are offered assistance returning home.
She also rejected suggestions that Mexico would use violent measures against migrant caravans, saying National Guard personnel could accompany the groups to provide information and support.
The president’s statements followed Trump’s warning that the United States could immediately double tariffs on Mexican goods unless Mexico prevented migrant caravans from reaching the American border.
Trump described the developing caravans as an “invasion” in a social media post, demanding that Mexican authorities stop their movement northward.
Sheinbaum disputed the suggestion that large caravans were approaching the United States, saying organized groups had not reached the northern border during Trump’s current administration.
According to The Associated Press, Mexican authorities reported that a caravan of approximately 600 migrants in Chiapas had largely dispersed after officials explained the difficulties of entering the United States.
Separately, Mexico’s National Migration Institute reported approximately 870 migrants gathering in Huixtla, near the Guatemalan border. Other local estimates placed the gathering at between 1,500 and 2,000 people.
Sheinbaum said the new groups would receive the same assistance provided to earlier caravans.
The president also warned that some migrants had received misleading information suggesting that the results of the November 3 U.S. midterm elections had changed American immigration policies.
She said Mexican officials were explaining that the election results had not changed the restrictions governing entry into the United States.
Another caravan is expected to depart Honduras on Sunday, Nov. 15, potentially adding to the number of migrants traveling through Central America toward Mexico.
Sheinbaum said Honduran authorities should also address the developing caravan before participants reach Mexico, although her government would provide humanitarian assistance if they crossed into Mexican territory.
The migration dispute comes as Washington and Mexico City continue trade negotiations involving tariffs and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said he remained in contact with American officials and that the developing migrant caravans had not disrupted bilateral trade discussions.
According to EFE reporting published by El Financiero, Sheinbaum attributed the disbandment of previous caravans to the government’s practice of explaining border restrictions and assisting migrants who choose to return to their countries.
Mexican immigration authorities are continuing to monitor migrant gatherings in the country’s southern states while preparing for the anticipated departure from Honduras.
As of Saturday, Nov. 14, Mexican officials maintained that no organized migrant caravan was advancing toward the U.S. border, although new groups were assembling in southern Mexico and Central America.
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