Accord Aims to Block Migrants Boarding 'La Bestia' Train

Authorities in Guatemala, Mexico and the United States have agreed to try to stop migrants from boarding a freight train known as "La Bestia" in a dangerous attempt to reach the United States, Guatemala said Wednesday.

Each year, tens of thousands of migrants use the train -- leaping on the moving rail cars -- to pass through Mexico. Dozens have been killed or maimed falling under the wheels of the train or else been victims of attacks by criminal gangs operating along the route.

Agreement on the train and other "commitments on security issues" were reached during meetings with the presidents of Guatemala and Mexico and the U.S. vice president, a top Guatemalan immigration official, Alejandra Gordillo, told reporters, without specifying when the accord was discussed.

Gordillo said she expected authorities "would establish more checkpoints" to ensure the train was not used for migration.

The United States has declared the tens of thousands of unaccompanied children trying to cross the border constitute a "humanitarian crisis." Most of the children come from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras where youths are fleeing poverty and gang violence.