Thread by @350

We must all take time to understand the Central American refugee crisis as a climate issue connected to US military and economic policy.

350 Justice & Equity Manager @natycar74 spells out those links. 350.org/us-responsibil… #FamiliesBelongTogetherMarch #FamiliesBelongTogether

Many of the recent migrants detained at the U.S. southern border are from the "Dry Corridor" - a drought-prone region where climate change is creating massive food insecurity. #FamiliesBelongTogetherMarch

Read more: csmonitor.com/World/Americas…
Map source: fao.org/fileadmin/user…

The US produces 5312 metric tons of carbon.

Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador & Honduras only produce 30.7 metric tons - less than 1% of the U.S.

The Dry Corridor & refugee crisis are driven by the lack of US climate policy #FamiliesBelongTogetherMarch
globalcarbonatlas.org/en/CO2-emissio…

The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) + other US economic policy are also forcing people to flee.

CAFTA has created a huge market for US agribusiness, and driven many local farmers out of business in the process. #FamiliesBelongTogetherMarch
citizen.org/sites/default/…

U.S. military and foreign policy have also destabilized 🇭🇳🇸🇻🇳🇮🇬🇹 + inflamed violence.

In the 1980s, the US armed, trained + funded Death Squads in El Salvador. At least 30,000 people were brutally murdered by their govt during this time. #FamiliesBelongTogetherMarch

In 2009, democratically elected Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was deposed in a coup. The US refused to call for his reinstatement.

Since 2017, Honduras has been rocked by election fraud protests + a violent state crackdown. #FamiliesBelongTogetherMarch

Guatemala:

In 1954, a CIA orchestrated coup removed Jacobo Arbenz.

In 1982, Rios Montt seized power. The US offered him military + economic support.

In 2013, Montt was convicted of genocide. 70K mostly Indigenous Mayans were killed by his govt. #FamiliesBelongTogetherMarch

In Nicaragua, the US armed and funded the Contra rebels throughout the 1980s, fueling civil war.

As part of this mission, thousands of US troops were stationed in Honduras. #FamiliesBelongTogetherMarch