On Thursday, Guatemalan authorities apprehended 13 Cuban migrants along with an alleged human trafficker in Chiquimula, close to the border with Honduras. According to a statement from the Civil National Police (PNC), the group was intercepted in a white Honda vehicle with the license plate P-844HVW at kilometer 233 on National Route 1, in the Santa Irene area of San Antonio Sacatepéquez, San Marcos department.
An independent news outlet, San Marcos Informativo GT, reported on Facebook that the driver, identified as René Saúl Ford González, 38, ignored a stop signal from agents of the Division for the Protection of Nature (DIPRONA) during an operation under Plan Pinabete, which aims to protect the region's natural resources. After being stopped about a kilometer further, authorities discovered the Cuban migrants, including six women, four men, and three minors aged 2, 15, and 16, who had entered the country illegally.
The migrants received initial humanitarian aid and were transferred to the Guatemalan Migration Institute for further legal procedures. Meanwhile, the detained individual was handed over to the appropriate court to face charges of human trafficking, a crime that has become a major focus in the region due to the increasing migration flows.
In recent months, Guatemala has ramped up its operations against human trafficking, leading to the apprehension of numerous Cuban migrants traveling through the country illegally. In October, two significant arrests took place; in the first, the PNC intercepted a bus at kilometer 69.6 in Escuintla, carrying 70 migrants, including 27 Cubans. Later, the same police force detained 59 migrants at kilometer 69 on the Pacific Route, among them Cubans, Venezuelans, Colombians, and individuals from other nations. The driver and assistant of the vehicle involved were also arrested for illegal human trafficking.
These incidents highlight the increasing migration of Cubans toward the United States. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), over 8,000 Cubans entered the country through various borders in October 2024, underscoring the ongoing migration crisis.
Key Questions on Cuban Migration and Human Trafficking in Guatemala
What led to the arrest of the Cuban migrants and the smuggler in Guatemala?
The arrest occurred after a vehicle carrying the migrants was intercepted by Guatemalan authorities during an operation meant to protect natural resources. The driver ignored a stop signal, leading to the discovery of the Cuban migrants.
How is Guatemala addressing the issue of human trafficking?
Guatemala has intensified its efforts against human trafficking, conducting operations that have resulted in numerous arrests of migrants and traffickers, reflecting the country's commitment to tackling the growing migration issue.
What is the significance of the increased Cuban migration to the United States?
The rise in Cuban migration to the U.S. highlights the persistent economic and political challenges faced by Cubans, prompting many to seek better opportunities in the United States despite the risks involved.