Mexico: 123 Migrants, Including Dozens of Children Found Trapped in Trailer

Mexico authorities made a concerning discovery in the central state of San Luis Potosi as they found 123 people from neighboring countries trapped in a trailer, per BBC.

Among them were 34 children, most hailed from Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras.

The trailer was in Matehuala, about 600 kilometers north of Mexico City. While officials did not disclose the migrants' destination, it is common for many to journey through the Americas with the hope of reaching the United States.

The Mexico migrants were uncovered after a local resident reported hearing cries from a locked trailer box.

The National Migration Institute (INM) stated that the individuals, who were mainly from Central and South America, were provided with food, medical assistance, and temporary accommodation while authorities worked to resolve their situation.

Notably, some of those found also hailed from El Salvador, Ecuador, and Cuba.

It remains uncertain if these individuals are connected to a 7,000-strong migrant caravan currently making its way from southern Mexico to the United States.

These journeys are often fraught with danger, with migrants relying on organized crime groups and facing risks of kidnapping and extortion.

Human Smugglers Arrested in Ciudad Juarez

Simultaneously, in Ciudad Juarez, located across the border from El Paso, Texas, police arrested three alleged human smugglers, including two who were just 16 years old, Fox News reports.

This came after the discovery of 11 Guatemalan migrants trapped in a house. These incidents occurred as a 7,000-person caravan of asylum seekers, the largest in a year, moved through southern Mexico toward the US border.

Kidnapping and extortion pose ongoing threats to Mexico migrants traveling north through the country. Many depend on payments to local gangs for safe passage, underscoring the vulnerabilities of those seeking better lives.

Both the US and Mexico have experienced increasing numbers of migrants in recent times. More than 400,000 people crossed the Darien Gap from Colombia into Panama in 2023, up from 250,000 in 2022.

The US-Mexico border has witnessed over 2.2 million migrant detentions since October of the previous year, leading to heightened scrutiny of President Joe Biden's handling of migration, particularly as the situation at the border remains a pressing issue.

3,000 Migrants Block Southern Mexico Highway

As migrants continue their journey, challenges persist. About 3,000 migrants from Central America, Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti recently blocked traffic on a major southern Mexican highway, demanding transit or exit visas to reach the US border, AP reports.

This caravan, which began its journey on foot from Tapachula near the Guatemalan border on October 30, is one of the largest since June 2022.

Activists leading the march expressed concerns about criminal threats, including kidnapping and extortion, emphasizing the dangers migrants face on their journeys.

However, the Mexico government's Refugee Aid Commission clarified that it does not issue transit visas, adding complexity to the Mexico migrants' plight.

Amidst these challenges, the migrant issue remains a significant concern for both the US and Mexico, with ongoing efforts required to address the complex factors driving these migration patterns and ensure the safety and well-being of those seeking refuge.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Mexican authorities find 350 migrants traveling inside trailer - From WION