[International migration in Central America in the 1990s: causes, implications, and consequences]

"After [reviewing] the demographic and historical backgrounds as well as the situation in each individual country in the area, the author concludes that migrations in Central America have been originated and influenced mainly by social and economic causes, as well as by social-political conflicts in the area, the latter affecting especially El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Panama. Although bringing some relief to the families through remittances of money earned abroad, the general effects are negative for countries of origin, due to the loss of labor [and] ruptures in family relations. On the other hand, they significantly influence labor markets in the countries of destination, such as Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and the United States. The countries in the area must now prepare themselves to receive many of those migrants back home." (SUMMARY IN ENG)