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THE JOURNEY
CROSSING INTO MEXICO
The only real way into Mexico is to cross the Suchiate
River. Hardly anyone uses the international bridge
and the official border. It's the first real obstacle
on the trip North. Many who try to cross are swept
away by the current and drowned.
Helping migrants cross the river is a small industry
in this border town. There are lots of ferrymen
who will take people across on an inner tube raft
for a couple of pesos. But the banks on both sides
are patrolled by the police.
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The boys decided to make a crossing
on foot. But there was a big problem. The previous
night's rainfall had transformed the usually slow-moving
Suchiate River. Water levels had risen and the river
had a dangerous current - a problem for the boys that
couldn't swim. Chacon was nervous - he hadn't even
learned to dog paddle. The water was fast and deep.
A local appeared out of now where and offered to guide
them down river to a safer spot for a few dollars.
Quique and Eber got in first to see if it was safe
enough for the others to cross. Quique gave the green
light and they all forged ahead.
Chacon: I
put my foot into the water. The current was strong.
There were lots of slippery rocks. I told myself,
I'm already here. I gotta do it.
Soon they were all safely on the opposite
bank - and on Mexican soil for the first time. They
were also now illegal - and on the run from the
law.
After a long, hot 20 kilometre hike through the
jungle they reached Tapachula - a notorious Mexican
border town.
Tapachula is where most migrants
are caught by the Mexican police. They take their
money and dump them back in Guatemala.
But it's also the place to hop
aboard a train that will take them north - to Mexico
City.
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