LATAM POLITICS TODAY-Mexico tackles illegal migration ahead of U.S. elections

"The migration crisis this year is far more serious than last year," said ombudsman Carlos Camargo, citing the greater number of migrants attempting to make the journey, as well as their precarious economic condition. Mexico customs chief departs administration MEXICO CITY - The head of Mexico's customs agency resigned, the second high-profile departure from Lopez Obrador's administration after Economy Minister Tatiana Clouthier stepped down on Thursday. Customs chief Horacio Duarte "has done a first-rate job ...

The latest in Latin American politics today:

Mexico says tackling migration, does not want to be in U.S. election debate MEXICO CITY - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said his government was working to keep a lid on undocumented immigration ahead of U.S. elections so that his country is not drawn into the political crossfire.

Speaking after Mexican authorities announced they had registered nearly 6,000 undocumented migrants in the country on Friday and Saturday, Lopez Obrador said his government wanted to ensure there was not "an influx of migrants in these days." Lopez Obrador said the country's immigration policies were not changing but stressed that it was important for Mexico not to be swept up in the U.S. electoral rhetoric.

Thousands wait for boats in Colombia as migrant crisis grows BOGOTA - Thousands of migrants, mostly Venezuelans, are stuck in a village in northwest Colombia, waiting for boats to take them across the Gulf of Uraba, before traversing through treacherous jungle as they make their way to the United States, according to Colombia's human rights ombudsman.

The crowd, which Colombian government officials have called a humanitarian crisis, has gathered in the village of Necocli, an obligatory step in the journey taken by tens of thousands of people each year as they try to make their way to the United States via Central America in search of new opportunities. "The migration crisis this year is far more serious than last year," said ombudsman Carlos Camargo, citing the greater number of migrants attempting to make the journey, as well as their precarious economic condition.

Mexico customs chief departs administration MEXICO CITY - The head of Mexico's customs agency resigned, the second high-profile departure from Lopez Obrador's administration after Economy Minister Tatiana Clouthier stepped down on Thursday.

Customs chief Horacio Duarte "has done a first-rate job ... he handed me his resignation because he's going to another task and we didn't want him leaving through the back door," said Lopez Obrador. U.S. delegation visiting Haiti amid humanitarian crisis

WASHINGTON - A U.S. interagency delegation led by the top State Department official for the Western Hemisphere and including the Defense Department was visiting Haiti amid a humanitarian crisis worsened by violent gangs, a senior Biden administration official said. Haiti has called for armed assistance to help combat a crisis caused by a blockade on its main fuel port by a coalition of gangs and U.S. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has proposed an international "rapid action force" to help Haiti's security forces.

The visit comes has Haiti had confirmed 32 cases and 18 deaths from cholera as of Oct. 9, according to the director of the Pan-American Health Organization. IDB green lights $700 mln Argentina loan to boost reserves

BUENOS AIRES - Argentina has secured a $700 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), according to a statement from the financial entity, as the country's cash-strapped government struggles with a protracted economic slump. The loan will provide budget support for Argentina to meet its short-term financing needs and support social and infrastructure spending, the statement said. (Compiled by Anthony Esposito; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)