Thousands of people, mostly from Honduras, resumed their march to the United States on Sunday. Early in the day, the huge caravan left Ciudad Hidalgo in southern Mexico on its way to the border of the country with American territory. They say they flee violence and poverty in their country, in search of what they believe will be a better life.
There was a riot on the Mexican border with Guatemala, when these people, including children, elderly and women, were barred by authorities on the bridge connecting the two countries.
Many entered illegally, swimming, by boat and with the help of ropes, along the Suchiate River, passing under the bridge where the immigration post is. At the same time, Mexico authorized small groups to apply for asylum and granted permission to stay in the country for 45 days.
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A group of 2,000 people voted on Sunday morning if the day was to continue on the ninth day, according to the AP news agency. Raising their hands, most of them expressed their will to proceed and were not prevented from crossing the border.
"We will walk together!" They said, celebrating when they were walking in Mexican territory. "Yes we can."
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Some are visibly tired, but most of them had a smile on their face. "It is very important for us to be here," José Luis, one of the caravan members, told the BBC.
The march left San Pedro Sula, in Honduras, and crossed to Guatemala. Now, the huge group of people walks along the road between Ciudad Hidalgo and Tapachula, in southeastern Mexico.
A group of Mexicans organized to escort them. The police go ahead on patrols. So far, it is not clear whether the authorities will try to stop them.
US President Donald Trump has warned the migrants to return and threatened to close the US border and cut aid to countries that allow them to cross.
In a tweet published Sunday, he said efforts are being made to "stop the attack of illegal aliens." He suggested that the caravan has political motivations.
"Caravans are a disgrace to the Democratic Party. Change the immigration laws NOW!" He wrote.
What happened at the border?
Many have temporarily broken the barriers placed on the bridge between Guatemala and Mexico. Police officers used tear gas to force people to come back after being hit with rocks.
Several jumped into the Suchiate River to reach boats, while others returned to Guatemala or simply sat on the bridge. People would have been injured in the confrontation.
Mexican officials said those with valid passports and visas could enter immediately, but this is believed to represent only a minority of the group.
And they warned that undocumented people would have to seek refuge or return, and that anyone who crossed illegally would be detained and deported.
One part remains on the bridge, waiting for a signal from Mexican authorities in the heat and sleeping on the asphalt, without access to running water or toilets, while thousands are already in Mexico.
"We were desperate and we dedicated ourselves to pursue a future in the United States, and there was no guarantee that they would not deport us if we waited," says Juan Pablo, a young man who crossed the border into a swim.
Jessica, 15, travels alone among those now marching in Mexican territory. He wants to get to New York, where he has relatives. "I came because members of a gang told me they were going to kill me."
She asked the phone of a stranger to call my mother. "She cried and asked me to take care of myself."
What will happen now?
On Friday, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez said he had spoken to the president of Guatemala and requested permission to send local support to help with the caravan.
"I asked for authorization to hire ground transportation for those who wanted to go back and air for special cases involving women, children, the elderly and the sick," said Hernandez.
The two presidents met on Saturday to discuss the situation and said that 2,000 people out of more than 4,000 on the border have returned.
But for most, turning around does not seem to be an option. "We have come here, there is no way back, we want to cross Mexico," said David Lopez;
