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Separate archival photographs; neither depicts the current tariff dispute.
By Tito Baron Media News Desk
Source-based reporting | Updated November 13, 2026
President Donald Trump has threatened to double tariffs on Mexico unless authorities stop migrants travelling north toward the United States, drawing a response from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum that the group was not currently moving toward the U.S. border.
Reuters reported Friday that Sheinbaum said a caravan was forming but not moving north. Immigration authorities counted about 870 people in Huixtla, while two local sources and an NGO estimated 1,500–2,000. She said an earlier group had dispersed. These are conflicting estimates, not a confirmed count.
Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Friday that the migrant group was not affecting trade negotiations with Washington, according to the same Reuters report.
Trump delivered the warning on November 12 in a social-media post reproduced by the White House. He linked migrant movement to Republican midterm losses and said migrants would not be accepted into the United States. That political explanation is the president’s claim, not an established cause of the journey.
Earlier reporting: Fox reported nearly 2,000 people, while Reuters cited a Chiapas state government source putting the group at about 1,500, including families. Reuters documented its departure from Tapachula, near Guatemala, on November 10. Its initial destination was Mexico City, where participants hoped to seek assistance before continuing toward the United States. The movement was in southern Mexico, not at the U.S. border.
Sheinbaum defended Mexico’s approach. El Economista reported that immigration authorities inform people about U.S. entry restrictions and offer assistance with returning home or remaining in Mexico under applicable conditions. She rejected new military reinforcement or violent repression.
Trump’s warning did not identify tariff categories, a rate schedule or an implementation date. It is a threat, not evidence that new duties have taken effect. On Friday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he remained optimistic about trade agreements with Mexico and Canada, Reuters reported.
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