In the years prior to the pandemic, irregular transit migration in the region has been common, and depending on the context, there are increases of certain nationalities. Since 2021, as a result of post-pandemic effects, the entire region has seen an increase in the flow of irregular migrants in transit, and Guatemala has been no exception.
During 2022, the flow of migrants in transit through the Darien jungle in Panama increased compared to 2021; this effect also began to occur at the southern border of the United States, where the increase in apprehensions increased dramatically compared to the previous year, and in response to this, the United States has applied Title 42 to expeditiously remove this population.
In the case of Guatemala, it has been observed that migrants in transit have concentrated on the border with Honduras and in Guatemala City, and as a result, temporary shelters have been set up to provide humanitarian assistance, which have exceeded their capacity to care for this population. In December, it was observed that the flow of migrants in transit has increased slightly as a result of the news of the suspension of Title 42 on December 21, according to information from the shelter located in Esquipulas, on the border with Honduras, where, for example, more than 1,200 Venezuelans were assisted during the month of December and a high flow of Haitians and Cubans continues.
