From April to early September, 8,000 migrants have crossed Costa Rica with the only purpose of reaching the United States and about 4,000 succeeded by using coyotaje networks to move to Nicaragua and continue their journey.
Mauricio Herrera, Communications Minister, said that the situation at the border is worrying and he foresees that the flow of migrants will continue, although it is currently ‘regularized’.
Costa Rica allows migrants to control and legalize their status. However, according to Herrera, it is evident that they do not want to stay in the country and look for ways to leave.
The official emphasized that authorities cannot prevent or stop these people because they are not criminals. He blamed the Nicaraguan closure and he declared that it encouraged coyotaje networks to grow on the northern border.
Costa Rica detected migrants from countries such as Ghana, Eritrea, Congo, Guinea, among others.