Two Mexican Migrants Shot to Death in Attack near U.S. Border
September 29, 2023, 5:26 PM ET
MEXICO CITY — Tragedy struck on the Mexican side of the U.S. border early on Friday morning as two Mexican migrants were shot to death. The incident, which occurred near Tecate, a city in the border state of Baja California, has sparked concerns about the safety of migrants attempting to cross into the United States.
The National Migration Institute of Mexico has reported that three other migrants suffered gunshot wounds during the attack. Luckily, they were promptly assisted by the institute’s emergency rescue teams, along with nine additional people who were unharmed.
Rescue services discovered a group of 14 Mexican nationals on Cuchuma Hill at dawn. However, by the time help arrived, two migrants had already lost their lives. It is worth noting that this harsh desert hill holds sacred value for at least one Mexican Indigenous group but is also utilized by migrant smugglers.
While the motive behind the shooting remains unknown, it is common for migrants to enter into agreements with local cartels for safe passage. Unfortunately, instances arise where migrants may be targeted if their smuggler is affiliated with a rival gang or if they have not paid the necessary passage fees.
Moreover, border areas are plagued by roving gangs of thieves and kidnappers who frequently target migrants, subjecting them to robbery and violence.
This incident near Tecate adds to the alarming trend of increasing violence against migrants attempting to reach the United States. Just recently, in 2021, Tamaulipas state police shot and killed 19 individuals, including 14 Guatemalan migrants, before burning their bodies. Fortunately, justice prevailed as 11 officers were convicted of homicide in this horrific case.
In another unfortunate incident, two Central American migrants lost their lives, and 27 others were injured when a truck flipped on a highway in Chiapas, one of the southern Mexican states that borders Guatemala. The injured, including six children, were transported to the hospital where they were granted legal asylum in Mexico as victims of a crime on Mexican territory.
Additionally, just one day prior to the truck accident, two more Central American migrants died while attempting to board a moving train near the Texas border in the state of Coahuila.
These incidents shed light on the dangerous circumstances that migrants face as they undertake perilous journeys in search of a better life. It is crucial for governments and organizations to work together to address the root causes of migration and ensure the safety and well-being of those seeking refuge and opportunities.