Trump Backtracks on Suggestion That US Troops Can Fire at Caravan

An estimated 5,000-7,000 people from three Latin American countries are marching towards the US through Mexico.

A day after he suggested that American troops sent to the US border with Mexico can fire on migrants who throw rocks at them, President Donald Trump on Friday, 2 November, backtracked from his suggestion, Reuters reported.

According to the report, Trump told reporters outside the White House that “the troops won’t have to fire.”

“I just don’t want these people throwing rocks. If they do that with us, they’re going to be arrested for a long time,” the US president said.

Earlier, Trump had suggested that the military could fire on the caravan that is heading towards the US if people throw stones at the soldiers.

Illegal immigration affects the lives of all Americans. Illegal Immigration hurts American workers, burdens American taxpayers, undermines public safety, and places enormous strain on local schools, hospitals and communities...https://t.co/eN1IqPNBJY

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2018

These immigrants were throwing rocks viciously, and violently, Trump had alleged.

Currently, an estimated 5,000-7,000 people from three Latin American countries El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala are marching towards the US through Mexico. Trump has deployed more than 5,000 military personnel on the southwestern border to stop them from entering.

(With inputs from PTI)