Authorities in the Mexican state of Chiapas conducted a police operation on Monday in the municipality of Puerto Madero, leading to the arrest of a group of migrants found in a local hotel. Among those detained were several Cuban nationals, part of a group of over twenty individuals from various countries.
The Secretariat of Public Security (SSP) issued a statement indicating that, in collaboration with the State Attorney General's Office (FGE), an interagency operation was executed in Puerto Madero, Chiapas. This effort culminated in the apprehension of 21 individuals in transit.
Local media reports identified the detainees as hailing from diverse nationalities, including Cubans, Ecuadorians, Indians, Venezuelans, Azerbaijanis, and Sudanese. The arrests followed an anonymous tip suggesting the migrants might have been held against their will in the hotel.
During the operation, authorities found that although the migrants claimed they were not being forcibly detained, none could provide documentation proving legal residence in Mexico. Consequently, they were taken to a temporary shelter under the oversight of the National Institute of Migration (INM), where they will receive care while their immigration status is resolved.
The authorities emphasized that these operations aim to protect individuals in transit and ensure compliance with immigration laws. The presence of migrants from such varied backgrounds highlights the growing trend of migration flows toward Mexico as a strategic passage to the United States.
Human rights organizations have stressed the necessity of ensuring dignified treatment for these individuals and have urged Mexican authorities to implement measures safeguarding their rights during their stay in the country.
This operation is part of a series of recent actions where Cuban migrants have been detained or rescued in Mexico. For instance, on January 2, 2025, 25 Cuban migrants were intercepted in the municipality of Suchiate, Chiapas, near the Guatemalan border. The Chiapas Border State Police found the migrants in a vehicle, but the driver was not present at the scene. The detainees were taken to the Immigration Prosecutor's Office to receive attention and ensure their rights.
Furthermore, on January 4, 2025, the Mexican Navy and the United States Coast Guard collaborated in the rescue of eight Cuban rafters 111 kilometers north of the port of Progreso, Yucatán. The migrants showed signs of dehydration and were handed over to the INM.
Key Questions About Migrant Detentions in Chiapas
What prompted the police operation in Puerto Madero, Chiapas?
The operation was initiated following an anonymous tip alleging that migrants were possibly being held against their will in a local hotel.
How are detained migrants being treated in Mexico?
Detained migrants are taken to a temporary shelter supervised by the National Institute of Migration (INM), where they receive necessary care while their immigration status is reviewed.
What is the significance of the migrant flow through Mexico?
The diverse nationalities of migrants highlight the increasing trend of using Mexico as a strategic route to the United States.