Mexican Army Accused of Shooting Migrants, Resulting in Six Deaths

Mexican army troops shot at a truck carrying migrants, killing six individuals from Egypt, Peru, and El Salvador. The incident, described as “deplorable” by President Claudia Sheinbaum, left ten others wounded. It occurred near Huixtla, Chiapas, as the military faced accusations of disproportionate force amid ongoing concerns over the treatment of migrants in Mexico.

MEXICO CITY – A tragic incident occurred when Mexican army troops opened fire on a truck transporting migrants from various nations, resulting in the deaths of six individuals from Egypt, Peru, and El Salvador. President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the event as “deplorable,” and it has raised significant concerns regarding the treatment of migrants in Mexico. The shooting, which left ten other migrants injured, unfolded near the town of Huixtla in the southern state of Chiapas, close to the Guatemalan border. The Defense Department reported that soldiers fired upon the truck’s convoy after allegedly hearing gunfire as it approached their position. In a somewhat unclear account, soldiers claimed the first vehicle in the three-truck convoy accelerated away from them, prompting two soldiers to open fire on one of the succeeding trucks, which was carrying migrants from countries including Nepal, Cuba, India, and Pakistan. The aftermath of the shooting revealed that four migrants died at the scene, and two later succumbed to their injuries. The local prosecutors confirmed that all victims died from gunshot wounds, although it remains unclear whether those injuries were inflicted by military fire. Peru’s Foreign Ministry confirmed one of its citizens died in the incident and called for an urgent investigation. Following the shooting, President Sheinbaum indicated that the soldiers involved had been turned over to civilian prosecutors, though as of Thursday, no charges had been filed against them. Furthermore, an investigation is underway to assess whether any military commanders should be held accountable for the incident. Irineo Mujica, a prominent advocate for migrant rights, expressed skepticism that the migrants or their smugglers fired upon the army, suggesting that the situation likely did not involve any attack from the migrants. The Roman Catholic Mexican Council of Bishops described the killings as a “disproportionate use of lethal force” and pointed to a broader issue of militarization in immigration policy, emphasizing that such tragedies should not be construed as isolated events. The recent shooting marks the deadliest encounter between Mexican authorities and migrants since the police killings of 17 migrants in Tamaulipas in 2021. This incident, alongside prior events, has raised alarms about the potential consequences of granting the military expanded authority in law enforcement, echoing concerns from human rights organizations that the situation surrounding migrant safety continues to deteriorate.

The recent shooting incident reflects ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy in Mexico, particularly at the southern border where many migrants pass through. The region has become increasingly perilous due to not only the threat posed by drug cartels but also the militarization of the response to migration. Historically, there have been instances where military and law enforcement personnel have engaged aggressively with migrant populations, often resulting in tragic outcomes. This specific incident is being viewed in the context of a pattern of violence against migrants and raises questions regarding military involvement in civilian matters, particularly against the backdrop of human rights advocacy in Mexico.

The tragic incident involving the shooting of migrants by Mexican army troops has highlighted critical issues regarding the treatment of migrants, the militarization of immigration policy, and the need for accountability and reforms within the system. As the investigations unfold, the calls for urgent intervention and serious scrutiny of military actions against vulnerable populations continue to resonate, underscoring the importance of protecting human rights in the face of escalating violence.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com