Soldiers open fire on refugee transport, killing 6 – DW – March 10, 2024

Mexican soldiers opened fire on a group of 33 migrants, killing six, the Defense Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

The migrants were in a truck that tried to evade a military patrol on Tuesday evening.

The ministry said it “reaffirms its commitment to act in strict accordance with the rule of law and within the framework of a zero impunity policy, and stands ready to assist civil authorities in clarifying the facts.”

Ten others were injured in the incident. The ministry said the migrants came from Egypt, Nepal, Cuba, India and Pakistan.

The nationality of the deceased was unclear, but the ministry announced that it would contact the relevant embassies.

The UN refugee agency in Mexico expressed concern about the event, adding that “migrant people face great risks on their journey and it is therefore essential that they have legal access, travel and integration options to avoid tragedies how to avoid this.”

Why did the soldiers open fire?

The incident occurred near the town of Huixtla in the southern state of Chiapas, close to the border with Guatemala. It is a common route for migrants, who are often smuggled in tightly packed vehicles.

Two vehicles similar to those used by criminal groups in the area followed the truck.

Mexican soldiers said they heard explosions and then opened fire.

Four were killed at the scene and two others died after being taken to a nearby hospital. The local prosecutor's office confirmed that they died from gunfire.

The Defense Ministry said the two soldiers who opened fire had been removed from their posts. You could face both criminal prosecution and military trial.

In 2021, the Mexican National Guard also opened fire on a truck carrying migrants in the same area, killing one.

Mexico is under pressure from the USA to curb migration

Mexico is under intense pressure from the United States to reduce the number of migrants arriving at their shared border.

Large numbers of migrants are attempting to enter the United States from Mexico to escape economic hardship and violence. In recent months, the number of migrants arriving in the United States has declined as the country prepares for elections.

tg/wd (dpa, AP, Reuters)