Donald Trump says migrant caravan is riddled with MS-13 gangsters and terrorists

The vanguard of the huge group – now thought to be more than 7,000 strong – has passed through Guatemala from its starting point in Honduras and is now moving north through Mexico.

Trump previously blasted various Central American countries for failing to stop it and threatened to cut off aid and use troops to shut America’s southern border.

And the US president has now suggested the caravan has been infiltrated by terrorists and brutal drug gangs.

He told reporters yesterday: “Take your camera, go into the middle and search.

“You're gonna find MS-13, you're gonna find Middle Easterners, you're going to find everything.”





MS-13 is one of the world's most brutal street gangs and has hit headlines around the world following a string of murders in the US.

Trump added: “We're not allowing them in our country.

“We want safety.”

The Republican was blasted by some who said he had no evidence and claimed the caravan was mainly made up of families fleeing violence and poverty.


But he later took to Twitter to double down on his comments, writing: “Sadly, it looks like Mexico's Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States.

“Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in.

“I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy (sic). Must change laws!”






The migrants, many of them with blistered and bandaged feet, left the southern city of Tapachula early yesterday afternoon heading for Huixtla, about 25 miles away.

Their numbers have continued to grow as they walk and hitch rides through hot and humid weather.

The United Nations estimated that it currently comprises some 7,200 people, “many of whom intend to continue the march north”.

And more continue to join it as it continues its journey – with many among the group hitting back at Trump’s claims.

Denis Omar Contreras, a Honduran-born caravan leader, said: “There isn't a single terrorist here.

“We are all people from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

“And as far as I know there are no terrorists in these four countries, at least beyond the corrupt governments.”



 

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