Thousands of people attempting to make their way to the US have been met by security guards armed with truncheons and tear gas at the Guatemala border with Honduras. The group estimated to have at least 7,000 migrants, mostly from Honduras, was intercepted on a road near the border on Sunday. The government said it would not accept "illegal mass movements".
They are fleeing poverty and violence and hope to travel on to Mexico, and then the US border. Every year, tens of thousands of Central American migrants attempt this perilous journey to try and reach the US, often on foot, in groups known as "caravans".
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE GROUP ENTER GUATEMALA
As the migrants trekked across Guatemala towards its border with Mexico, they were slowed down by security forces near the south-eastern village of Vado Hondo.
A group of soldiers and police officers blockaded a road, stopping many of them from advancing. Some people still attempted to force their way through, prompting security forces to push them back. Several people were injured.
About 7,000 migrants, mostly from Honduras, are estimated to have arrived in Guatemala since Friday
Many migrants retreated, with some waiting nearby to make a new attempt later. Others fled into nearby mountains.
"Fortunately the security forces established a contingency plan... and contained this battle," said Guillermo Díaz, head of Guatemala's migration agency.
A statement from the Guatemalan president's office said: "Guatemala's message is loud and clear: These types of illegal mass movements will not be accepted, that's why we are working together with the neighbouring nations to address this as a regional issue."
The government later said 21 migrants who had sought medical assistance tested positive for Covid-19.
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