Two crisis that explain the most recent migratory dynamics in three northern countries of Central America

Abstract

During the last decade, the three northern countries of Central América (Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras) have occupied the headlines of the principal newspapers globally, due to the migratory crises experienced in the region. This article seeks to explain the most recent migratory dynamics, starting with the two crises that highlighted the primary characteristics of the Central American migratory flow: 1) the “humanitarian crisis” of minors at the southern border of the United States of America in 2014, and 2) the caravans of Central American migrants that began in 2018. The article also analyzes how these crises marked the beginning of broad debates regarding the causes of migration in the region and made way for renewed migratory policies in the Central America-North America migratory corridor.

Keywords
humanitarian crisis; reunification; caravans; uprooting; migratory policies