Mexico City, Mexico – The Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA) announced on Wednesday that soldiers stationed in Chiapas, in southeastern Mexico, shot and killed six migrants, mistaking them for criminals.
On Friday, President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the tragedy during her morning press conference. Mexico’s new acting leader, who had just praised the “humanitarian” nature of Mexico’s armed forces, revealed that authorities are identifying the slain migrants and investigations have begun.
“Most of the victims have been identified and we are in contact with the embassies through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of National Defense itself has filed complaints against the shooters and investigations are underway,” said Sheinbaum.
Through a press release, SEDENA reported that military troops on patrol on the night of October 1 discovered a pickup truck traveling at high speed. According to authorities, the characteristics of the vehicle resembled those used by criminal groups in the region. Soldiers allegedly heard gunshots, prompting two soldiers to fire at the truck.
Upon further inspection, the troopers realized that the truck was carrying 33 migrants of various nationalities, including Egyptians, Nepalese, Cubans, Hindus, Pakistanis and Arabs, four of whom had been shot dead.
In addition, the military reported 12 injured and 17 uninjured. Authorities rushed the survivors to the nearest hospitals, where two other migrants succumbed to their injuries.
According to Sheinbaum, the six immigrants killed were from Egypt, El Salvador and Peru.
Migratory watchdog Frontera Sur also reported that one of the victims was a minor girl.
“It’s an unfortunate incident that needs to be investigated and punished,” Sheinbaum said. “The individuals from the Ministry of National Defense who fired have already been handed over to the General Prosecutor’s Office (FGR) and it is the responsibility of the General Prosecutor to investigate how the events occurred, determine responsibility and assess if there is any additional responsibility. by the commanders or only by the soldiers who fired.”
On Thursday, Mexico’s Prosecutor’s Office said two soldiers had already been arrested and requested the help of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to link information and resources to the embassies of the victims’ homelands.
Bordering Central America through Guatemala, Chiapas is the hemispheric migration hub, serving as a transit point for migrants and asylum seekers from around the world.
According to local reports, there was a 24% increase in immigrant encounters in the southeastern state in 2024 compared to the previous year. As of July of this year, Chiapas authorities documented 229,379 migrants, a staggering 80% increase from 2022.
Unfortunately, Chiapas has also become a coveted territory for organized crime, with Mexico’s most violent and influential cartels providing resources and manpower in an ongoing battle to control drug, weapons and trafficking routes. of human beings in the state.
The resulting wave of violence has forced hundreds from their homes, fleeing the drug war and into Central America.
