On Monday, authorities in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas discovered at least 19 bodies in an abandoned truck near the Guatemalan border, according to the state’s attorney general.
Details of the Discovery:
Five of the bodies had gunshot wounds, and all were dressed in dark clothing and tactical vests containing ammunition, officials reported.
President’s Statement:
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador attributed the deaths to cartel violence, noting that some victims were migrants from Guatemala. “What causes this? Well, drug trafficking and the trafficking of migrants, meaning human trafficking, it’s a route,” Lopez Obrador stated during his daily press conference on Tuesday. He highlighted that two cartels are currently fighting in the region, adding, “The people of the area are being protected.”
Local Reactions:
Residents of Chiapas expressed their dismay. “It’s sad and I can’t say otherwise, it’s sad that the violence came all the way here,” one resident told CNN en Español. Another resident, who had to migrate due to the violence, said, “A lot of fear, I was born and grew up in Chiapas, but given the violence in the state I had to migrate. I live somewhere else now, outside the state, and only come to visit my family.”
Government Response:
President Lopez Obrador has promised a thorough investigation into the deaths and announced that security in Chiapas will be reinforced.
Background:
Violence has been escalating in Chiapas as cartels battle for control over profitable routes for smuggling migrants and drugs. This incident underscores the ongoing struggles faced by the region amid cartel conflicts and the impact on local communities.