The Ministry of Public Security in Hidalgo has successfully freed 22 migrants, among them Cuban nationals, who were victims of forced labor and held captive in three separate locations within El Carmen, Tizayuca. The operation, in collaboration with the National Institute of Migration (INM) and the Hidalgo Attorney General's Office, resulted in the liberation of 12 men, seven women, and three minors from Venezuela, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Cuba, as reported by Periódico Central.
Authorities apprehended two individuals, identified as J. P. L. and M. A. A. C., who exploited the migrants' vulnerable conditions by confiscating portions of their earnings and providing them with inadequate shelter. The suspects are currently under the jurisdiction of the Public Prosecutor's Office, where an investigation has been launched to assess their legal status.
Meanwhile, the rescued migrants were taken to the INM delegation due to their inability to provide proof of legal residency in Mexico. This incident underscores the harsh realities migrants face while traversing the country and highlights the pressing need to dismantle exploitation networks preying on their circumstances.
Just last November, 22 migrants, including four Cubans, were liberated during a security operation in Chiapas. These individuals had been held captive on a ranch along the Tapachula-Viva México highway. The confrontation with their captors resulted in the deaths of two security personnel, injuries to six others, the arrest of one suspected criminal, and the escape of 14, according to the local outlet Diario del Sur.
A few days earlier, Mexican authorities rescued 174 migrants of various nationalities, including nine Cubans, who were found kidnapped in Juchitán de Zaragoza. This operation, led by the Oaxaca State Attorney General's Office (FGEO) alongside federal and state forces on November 20, freed migrants from 12 countries, among them Venezuela, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic.
Additionally, last Sunday, Cuban migrants were detained by Texas authorities after illegally crossing the Mexico-United States border, as part of a group exceeding 170 migrants from different nations.
Migrant Exploitation and Rescue Efforts in Mexico
What actions have been taken against the individuals exploiting migrants in Hidalgo?
The suspects were detained and are currently facing legal proceedings under the jurisdiction of the Public Prosecutor's Office, with an investigation undertaken to determine their legal responsibility.
Why were the rescued migrants taken to the INM delegation?
The migrants were taken to the INM delegation as they lacked documentation to prove their legal residency in Mexico.
What challenges do migrants face while traveling through Mexico?
Migrants often face exploitation and harsh conditions, including being held captive for forced labor, as they journey through Mexico.