Mexico foreign minister says national guard to deploy to southern border

Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard speaks to reporters after a meeting between U.S. and Mexican officials on immigration and trade at the State Department in Washington, U.S., June 6, 2019. (REUTERS)

• Trump has threatened to slap tariffs on Mexican imports starting next week if Mexico does not do more to contain the migrant flows

WASHINGTON: Mexico will deploy its national guard to its southern border with Guatemala, the Mexican foreign minister said on Thursday, as part of the country’s bid to stem Central American migration that has drawn US President Donald Trump’s ire.
“We have explained that there are 6,000 men and that they will be deployed there,” Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard told reporters in televised remarks as he left a meeting with US officials in Washington.
Ebrard added that Mexico’s talks with the United States about migration will continue on Friday. Trump has threatened to slap tariffs on Mexican imports starting next week if Mexico does not do more to contain the migrant flows.