Following the punitive tariff threats by US President Donald Trump, Mexico is taking action to reduce the number of refugees from neighboring Central American states. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador traveled to the border with Guatemala yesterday to present a $ 100 million (€ 88.44 million) job creation program.
A 30-million-dollar project is to be launched in El Salvador: employment is to be created through the planting of fruit and timber trees. Lopez Obrador said Mexico will show that it can reduce migration „with humanity and without xenophobia.“ Secretary of State Marcelo Ebrard said that there must be opportunities for people to live where they lived.
Lopez wants care instead of confrontation
Every day, thousands of people from Guatemala cross Mexico to reach the United States. Trump recently threatened Mexico with punitive tariffs to force a harder crackdown on refugees. Less than two weeks ago, the two countries had reached an agreement and Trump suspended his punitive tariffs on all imports from the neighboring country for an indefinite period. Mexico, in turn, undertook to take action against illegal migration from Central America.
By mid-July, the crowding on the Mexican border with the US should be significantly reduced. If this is not achieved, Washington is threatened with tariff increases. As a first measure, 6,000 members of the Mexican National Guard were to be assigned to the border with Guatemala. Lopez Obrador said his country does not want to fight with the US. „What can be achieved with confrontation, with trade wars? Nothing. Development, care and free trade is better. „
