HONDURAS — Influential Honduran human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Itsmania Platero is speaking out about the root causes of the mass migration phenomenon from Central America. 

Platero said the roots of the problem are extreme poverty, high crime and unchecked corruption in all levels of government.  Crimes committed are not being investigated and there’s no accountability, she said.  

“It’s a population in need, in a captive country, because Honduras right now, it’s a prison, has nowhere to go, nobody to ask help to, can’t trust in the police or anybody,” Platero said in her native Spanish. “People are like between a wall and a sword.”

She shared images of a migrant caravan leaving Honduras at the end of March. The caravan would later be dissolved by civil and military forces in Guatemala and Mexico. Platero said President Joe Biden’s words and immigration posture are what’s giving them hope and are the main drivers to leave their country.

“When he says that he is gonna help the minors, and looking remorseful. When he says that he feels sorry for the children the people don’t think [about]. It’s an option everybody wants,” said Platero 

As a result she says more than 100,000 migrants have left Central America for the United States. She said children are seen as the ticket to be admitted to the United States, making them vulnerable to kidnappers and criminal organizations. Still, not all children are being immediately admitted.

“It’s a lie,” Platero said. “President Biden’s words have left a mark (hurt) on the great need of the people. He doesn’t know how much his words mean to people here, for someone who has family in the United States."

Platero has tried to make the Hondurans aware of the dangers involved in the trip and warns them they may not be let into the county. But the appeal of the U.S. is too strong for people living in extreme poverty and insecurity.

“They don’t care. When it’s about saving your life you either leave or they kill you. You leave and you risk to die. There’s no way out,” she said.

For Platero a permanent solution can only be achieved if U.S. policy switches from reaction and repression to prevention. She said it's necessary that the U.S. pay attention to what is going on in Honduras and work towards a solution with the local governments, establishing accountability and ousting corrupt politicians.