Huixtla, Mexico - In a tragic incident, Mexican military personnel initiated gunfire upon a convoy of migrants, resulting in the loss of six lives, as reported by the Defense Ministry in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The convoy, comprising 33 individuals, was attempting to elude a military patrol on the previous night.
The Defense Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining a policy of zero-tolerance for impunity. It expressed readiness to assist civil authorities in investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Additionally, the ministry stated that ten other individuals sustained injuries in the confrontation. The migrants originated from Egypt, Nepal, Cuba, India, and Pakistan, as confirmed by the ministry.
The identities of the deceased were not immediately disclosed, but the ministry has pledged to liaise with the relevant embassies for further information.
The United Nations Refugee Agency in Mexico has voiced its concern over the incident, emphasizing the vulnerability of migrants during their journey and the critical need for legal pathways for their access, travel, and integration to prevent such tragic occurrences.
The motive behind the military's action remains under investigation. The incident occurred near Huixtla, a southern state of Chiapas, in close proximity to the Guatemalan border, a route frequently utilized by migrants, many of whom are smuggled in tightly packed vehicles.
Following the convoy, two military vehicles, similar to those associated with criminal groups in the area, were observed trailing.
The Mexican soldiers reported hearing explosions, which prompted them to discharge their firearms. As a result, four individuals were killed at the scene, with two succumbing to their injuries after being transported to a nearby hospital. The local prosecutors have confirmed that the fatalities were due to gunshot wounds.
The Defense Ministry has taken disciplinary action against the two soldiers responsible for the discharge of firearms, who have been relieved from their duties. They are also subject to potential prosecution and military trial.
This incident is not the first of its kind. In 2021, a similar event occurred, resulting in the death of a single individual, highlighting the ongoing challenges Mexico faces in managing the influx of migrants at its shared border with the United States.
The United States has been exerting significant pressure on Mexico to curb the number of migrants crossing its border, driven by the desire to address economic hardships and violence faced by many migrants. In recent times, there has been a noticeable decrease in the number of migrants reaching the United States, attributed to the country's election preparations.
