A surge in migrants from the Northern Triangle of Central America—which includes El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras—has brought attention to a long-suffering region of the world. Governments in the region have made some steps to alleviate the poverty, violence, and corruption that are driving people out, but the issues persist.
Which population is fleeing and why?
Migrants, especially women and children, continue to leave in significant numbers from the dangerous region. In recent years, an estimated 311,000 individuals [PDF] have departed yearly, however this figure declined in 2020 owing to border closures and restrictions imposed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ROMA, TEXAS, USA – APRIL 9: Migrants from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador wait to board the bus after crossing the Rio Grande river from Mexico aboard to US, in La Joya, Texas, United States on April 8, 2021. The number of migrants crossing into the United States in March jumped to highest level in 15 years, with more than 171,000 migrants. (via Getty Images)
Some migrants seek asylum or economic opportunities in other areas of Latin America or Europe. However, most face a hazardous trip north via Mexico to the United States. Hondurans make up the vast majority of Northern Triangle migrants apprehended by US immigration officers, followed by Guatemalans and lastly Salvadorans.
Lack of economic opportunities, environmental problems, and persistent violence are all forcing people out of the Northern Triangle.
The area is one of the most poorest in the Western Hemisphere. In terms of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, all three nations were among the bottom in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2019. During the pandemic of 2020–21, inequality and poverty have increased.
Women in the region are escaping gender-based violence, which has been worsened by the pandemic. El Salvador and Honduras have the highest rates of femicide, or gender-based murders of women and girls over the age of fifteen, in Latin America as of 2019.
Experts predict that population growth and climate change, which has been linked to an increase in the number of extreme weather events, will put further strain on Northern Triangle economy, driving more people to move.
To address the region’s long-standing issues, successive administrations have tried a variety of development-focused, tough-on-crime measures, but with minimal success.
Instability in the economy. The Alliance for Prosperity Plan, sponsored by the United States, has been the region’s most major concerted effort to minimize economic instability (A4P). A4P made promises to enhance production, strengthen institutions, extend opportunities, and promote public safety in order to address the reasons of irregular migration. However, its outcomes are contentious and hard to measure.