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 / Modified jun 17, 2019 1:10 p.m.

Mexico deploys National Guard to stop migrants

Critics say the deployment is against the law and is intended to serve U.S. interests. by Rodrigo Cervantes, Fronteras Desk

porfirio munoz ledo VIEW LARGER Porfirio Muñoz Ledo, right, is chairman of Mexico’s lower congress, la Cámara de Diputados.
Cámara de Diputados de México

MEXICO CITY — Mexico confirmed the deployment of the newly-formed National Guard to its southern border to stop migrants, as agreed with the U.S. But opponents said the federal government is breaking the law and turning Mexico into the U.S. border wall.

Six thousand elements of the National Guard should be on duty by Tuesday on the border with Guatemala, according to Mexico’s secretary of foreign affairs, Marcelo Ebrard. And the Mexican Secretary of State Olga Sánchez said the national guard will not act as an official border patrol.

But critics said the deployment is a violation of the law. Among them is Porfirio Muñoz Ledo, chairman of Mexico’s lower congress and part of the ruling party, Morena.

He has stated that the National Guard was created to fight crime, not migrants, while the secretary of Foreign Affairs of taking attributions from the secretary of state.

But Mexico’s president insists that the plan is not meant to please foreign interests but to serve the nation and protect migrants.

Fronteras Desk
This story is from the Fronteras Desk, a collaboration of Southwestern public radio stations, including NPR 89.1. Read more from the Fronteras Desk.
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