Six migrants were apparently killed by shots fired by Mexican soldiers at the border with Guatemala. This was announced by Mexico's Ministry of Defense. The soldiers fired at a truck.
Several migrants have been killed near the border with Guatemala, according to the Mexican Defense Ministry. Mexican soldiers opened fire on a truck after they said they heard gunshots. Six of the migrants in the vehicle were killed and at least ten others were injured.
The truck and two other vehicles were reportedly traveling in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, close to the Guatemalan border. Two of the vehicles resembled those used by criminal groups. The soldiers said they heard shots.
33 migrants in the truck
Two of the soldiers then shot at the truck, which was said to have contained a total of 33 migrants from Egypt, Nepal, Cuba, India, Pakistan and at least one other country. Four of the migrants died on site and two others died in hospital, the ministry said.
According to the Defense Ministry, the two soldiers have been handed over to the investigative authorities. They are released from their duties for the duration of the investigation. Civil society organizations criticized the incident and pointed to the still “unexplained circumstances” that led to the deaths.
Route for smugglers and smugglers
For years, soldiers in Mexico have been deployed massively against drug cartels and for other internal security tasks. Activists denounce human rights violations. Most migrants move through Mexico towards the USA. The area is a known smuggling route for smugglers, but also the scene of turf wars between drug gangs.
