Mexico is facing a growing crisis as dozens of migrants were violently abducted from a coach on their way to the US-Mexico border. Gunmen intercepted the bus and took 31 passengers captive, mostly from South America, while Mexican passengers and the driver raised the alarm. This incident sheds light on the common practice of gangs targeting migrants, holding them for ransom until their families pay. The abductees were traveling on a commercial coach operated by Senda, en route from Monterrey to Matamoros, when five cars carrying armed men intercepted the bus. The Mexican passengers were left behind while the migrants were forced off the vehicle. Of particular concern is the fact that the victims, mainly Venezuelans, were heading to a scheduled asylum hearing with US officials, highlighting the vulnerability of migrants seeking safety. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has ordered an intensive police search to locate the missing individuals.
This incident, however, is not an isolated event, as the region has witnessed a surge in kidnappings of migrants for ransom in recent weeks. Reports suggest that the five Venezuelan migrants intercepted in a separate incident were also targeted by criminals. While it remains unclear which gang might be holding the 31 remaining abductees, migrant rights advocates have long warned about the dangers faced by migrants in this border region. Father Francisco Gallardo, who manages a migrant shelter in Matamoros, stated that mass kidnappings have become alarmingly common. Migrants arriving at the shelter have recounted stories of gang members seizing entire families and demanding exorbitant sums of money as ransom under threat of violence. The state of Tamaulipas, where Matamoros is located, has gained notoriety for its history of violence against migrants, including a massacre in 2010 where 72 South and Central American migrants were murdered by the Los Zetas gang.
To mitigate the risks involved in traveling through Mexico, some migrants choose to join large groups known as migrant caravans, aiming to find safety in numbers. These caravans, often consisting of thousands of people, set off on foot towards the United States. However, even within these groups, migrants remain vulnerable to criminal activities. The most recent caravan, comprised of approximately 7,000 individuals, departed from Tapachula on Christmas Eve. However, Mexican officials announced that after traveling over 100km, the group dispersed, with most accepting an offer to board buses to a migrant processing center in Mapastepec.
The issue of migrant abductions has become a significant concern for Mexico, particularly due to pressure from the United States to reduce the number of migrants crossing its territory. President López Obrador recently held talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, where both parties reached “important agreements,” though specific details were not disclosed. The urgency of addressing this crisis is highlighted by the plight of migrants who are increasingly subjected to violence, extortion, and exploitation as they attempt to seek safety and a better future for themselves and their families. It is imperative for the Mexican government to address the security challenges faced by migrants and work towards ensuring their safety throughout their journey.
