Posted: Wednesday, October 30, 2024. 10:18 am CST.
By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: Many migrants entering Mexico from Guatemala first find shelter in a large, fenced-in ranch structure known as the “chicken coop,” where they must pay the cartel for their release before moving on.
Despite a four-year low in migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border, the flow of migrants into Mexico remains strong, the Associated Press reports.
While U.S. officials credit Mexico for curbing migration, organized crime groups exert significant control over movement, often kidnapping migrants until ransoms are paid.
From January to August, over 150,000 migrants were intercepted in southern Mexico, but only a fraction were deported.
Six migrant families shared their experiences of being held for ransom, with some forced to withdraw money to secure their release. Once paid, they receive a stamp, which cartels use to monitor who can travel further north.
In Chiapas, violence between cartels complicates the situation, with migrants seen as a lucrative commodity. Despite claims of assistance, local officials often turn a blind eye to cartel activities.
Advocacy groups report increasing dangers for migrants, including extortion and violence.
Recently, the U.S. expanded access to an online asylum appointment system, hoping to alleviate pressure on migrants.
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The post International News: How Mexican cartels control migrant flows to the U.S. Border appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Wednesday, October 30, 2024. 10:18 am CST. By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: Many migrants entering Mexico from Guatemala first find shelter in a large, fenced-in ranch
The post International News: How Mexican cartels control migrant flows to the U.S. Border appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
