MEXICO.- Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina have initiated the "Southern Border Program," ("Programa Sur Frontera" in Spanish) which will have the goal of ensuring proper treatment and human right protections are conferred upon migrants that come into the country via Mexico's southern border.

This card is meant to be valid for 72 hours so that migrants can travel through Campeche, Chiapas, Tabasco, and Quintana Roo legally. According to public information released by Mexican authorities, this program is designed for those migrants that are crossing through Mexico for commercial reasons or to visit family members and not for those that are arriving in the country in order to make their way to the United States illegally. Along Mexico's Southern border, just as is the case along its northern border with the U.S., many people cross the border to buy items that can not be easily obtained at home, or to visit relatives who live in the nearby country.

The "Southern Border Program" has five objectives: to formalize border crossings, implement formal ordinances, to protect migrants and promote social activities with migrants; develop regional responsibility, and enable inter-institutional coordination.

Peña Nieto confirmed that Mexico will ensure that whatever required investments in terms of infrastructure or equipment is employed so that this program may function as soon as possible. This program will be in place at ten border crossings between Mexico and Guatemala, and two border crossings between Mexico and Belize. These are the only official border crossings between Mexico and the neighboring countries.

This announcement coincides with the problematic humanitarian crisis that the U.S. is currently facing in relation to the surge of unaccompanied migrants arriving at its southern border, largely originating from Central America.

Brenda.Colon@sandiegored.com

borderzonie@gmail.com