Six migrants were killed near the Guatemala border after Mexican soldiers opened fire on a truck carrying a group of migrants, the Mexican Defense Department reported on Wednesday. The deadly incident took place late Tuesday in the southern state of Chiapas, near the town of Huixtla, a key route for human smuggling. Mexican authorities stated that the soldiers allegedly heard gunfire as a truck and two other vehicles approached their checkpoint, prompting the fatal response.
Among the victims were migrants from Egypt, Nepal, Cuba, India, Pakistan, and other unidentified countries. The Defense Department's statement revealed that two soldiers opened fire on the truck, which was packed with 33 migrants. Four of the migrants were found dead at the scene, and 12 others were wounded. Unfortunately, two of the injured later succumbed to their wounds. The condition of the remaining 10 wounded individuals is unclear, but 17 others in the truck were unharmed.
Local prosecutors have confirmed that all the victims died from gunshot wounds. However, the Defense Department has yet to confirm whether the fatalities resulted directly from army fire or if any weapons were found in the truck. The two soldiers who fired on the truck have been relieved of duty pending an investigation.
This tragedy is not the first time Mexican military forces have used deadly force in incidents involving migrants. In 2021, the National Guard shot at a pickup truck carrying migrants in the same region, killing one and injuring four others. The area has become a notorious battleground for rival drug cartels, complicating the already dangerous journeys of migrants trying to reach the United States.
NEW: Mexican officials in Chipas confirm that the Mexican army opened fire and killed 6 migrants from Egypt , Nepal and Pakistan. Authorities say the Army mistook the vehicle for one used by criminal groups. Investigation is underway. pic.twitter.com/CFMb5XzPKU — Jorge Ventura Media (@VenturaReport) October 3, 2024
Irineo Mujica, a prominent migrant rights activist, expressed doubt that the migrants or their smugglers fired shots at the soldiers, as claimed by the army. "It is really impossible that these people would have been shooting at the army," Mujica said. "Most of the time, they get through by paying bribes." Mujica has long accompanied migrant caravans through this volatile region, where corruption and violence frequently threaten the safety of those seeking a better life.
The United Nations refugee agency in Mexico, known as ACNUR, expressed deep concern over the tragic incident, emphasizing the extreme dangers faced by migrants along their journeys. In a statement, ACNUR urged for better legal avenues and safer travel for migrants to prevent such tragedies. "People in migration are exposed to great risks during their journey," the agency wrote, stressing the importance of legal integration to reduce the dangers faced by these vulnerable individuals.
The timing of this incident is particularly sensitive for Mexico's new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office just a day earlier. This tragedy could be a significant embarrassment for her administration, especially given the recent decision to extend extraordinary powers to the military under her leadership. Like her predecessor, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Sheinbaum has placed the military at the forefront of national security efforts, granting them significant control over various sectors, including law enforcement, infrastructure, and state-run companies.
The use of military forces in civilian matters, particularly in law enforcement, has been controversial in Mexico. Critics argue that the military's growing role has blurred the lines between civilian and military responsibilities, raising concerns about accountability and human rights. Civilian prosecutions often take precedence in cases involving the military, but soldiers can also face military courts-martial for offenses like this one.
The deaths of the migrants, should they be confirmed as a result of military action, could force Sheinbaum's administration to reassess its reliance on the armed forces for domestic security. The incident has already sparked calls for justice and transparency, with advocates for migrant rights demanding a full investigation into the soldiers' actions and greater protections for migrants traveling through Mexico.
The region where the shooting occurred is a notorious corridor for human smuggling, where migrants are often packed into crowded trucks, enduring dangerous conditions as they seek refuge or economic opportunities in the United States. With the army playing an increasingly prominent role in border security, concerns have been raised about the risk of further violent encounters between soldiers and vulnerable migrant populations.
