Guatemalan police have made significant progress in the investigation into the tragic deaths of 53 migrants who died of asphyxiation in a tractor-trailer in Texas in 2022. Seven Guatemalans have been arrested in connection with the smuggling operation, including the alleged ringleader, Rigoberto Roman Miranda Orozco, whose extradition has been requested by the United States. The arrests were made possible after 13 raids in three of the country’s departments, resulting in the seizure of vehicles and cash, as well as the rescue of other migrants. Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez attributed the success of the operation to a collaborative effort between the Guatemalan police, Homeland Security, and other national agencies.
In addition to the recent arrests, six people were previously charged in connection with the smuggling operation, including Homero Zamorano Jr. and Christian Martinez, who authorities say drove the truck in which the migrants were found. Martinez later pleaded guilty to smuggling-related charges, while Zamorano pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. Four Mexican nationals were also arrested in 2023. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed his commitment to pursuing human smugglers who put migrants’ lives at risk for profit, emphasizing that such individuals cannot hide from justice.
Authorities have revealed that the men involved in the smuggling operation were aware that the trailer’s air-conditioning unit was malfunctioning, leading to the tragic deaths of 48 migrants in San Antonio. Another 16 migrants were hospitalized, with five more dying from the harsh conditions. The victims included individuals from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. It is alleged that the men collaborated with human smuggling operations in Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, sharing routes, guides, stash houses, trucks, and trailers. Migrants paid up to $15,000 each to be taken across the U.S. border, with the fee covering up to three attempts to enter the country.
Rigoberto Roman Miranda Orozco, the alleged ringleader of the smuggling gang, was arrested in the Guatemalan department of San Marcos, on the border with Mexico. Other arrests occurred in the departments of Huehuetenango and Jalapa. The police have identified the gang as “Los Orozcos” due to several members sharing the surname and being family members. The Guatemalan government has stated that the organization illegally transported hundreds of migrants of various nationalities to the United States, collecting millions of quetzales over the years. The arrests mark a significant milestone in the investigation into the deadly smuggling operation that claimed the lives of 53 migrants in Texas in 2022.
