Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the killing of six migrants by Mexican troops, calling it a “regrettable event” that must be investigated and punished. The incident occurred on October 1 near the town of Huixtla, close to the border with Guatemala, when soldiers opened fire on a truck carrying 33 migrants. The soldiers claimed they heard explosions coming from the truck, prompting their response, resulting in the deaths of citizens from Egypt, Peru, and El Salvador. This incident has presented an early challenge for Sheinbaum, who had just been sworn in as president.
The area between Mexico and Guatemala is known for being a common route for smuggling migrants, some of whom are packed into crowded freight trucks to travel northward to the US border. The Defence Ministry stated that the trucks involved in the shooting “were similar to those used by criminal groups in the region.” Migrant rights activist Irineo Mujica expressed doubt that the migrants or their smugglers initiated the shooting, stating that it is unlikely they would have fired at the army. Previous incidents of Mexican law enforcement using deadly force after claiming to have heard explosions or gunfire have raised concerns about the militarization of immigration policy and the use of excessive lethal force.
The Roman Catholic Mexican Council of Bishops criticized the latest killings as a “disproportionate use of lethal force,” highlighting the consequences of militarization on the country’s southern border. Former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador expanded the authority of the military during his term, involving troops in civilian infrastructure projects and folding the National Guard under its command. Sheinbaum, Lopez Obrador’s successor, is expected to continue his policies, despite facing criticism for the recent killings of migrants by Mexican soldiers.
During a visit to a Mexico City military base, Sheinbaum did not address the killings but focused on wage increases for the troops, emphasizing that there is no state of siege or violations of human rights in the country. The incident has sparked calls for an urgent investigation into the killings, with the Ministry of Defence initially stating that the soldiers responded to explosions coming from the truck. Sheinbaum’s response to the incident and her call for accountability for those involved demonstrate a commitment to addressing the issue and preventing such incidents from occurring in the future.
Overall, the killing of six migrants by Mexican troops near the border with Guatemala has drawn attention to the use of lethal force by Mexican law enforcement in dealing with migrants and asylum seekers. The incident has raised concerns about the militarization of immigration policy and the presence of armed forces on the country’s southern border. Sheinbaum’s condemnation of the killing and her call for an investigation into the incident indicate a willingness to address the issue and hold those responsible accountable. The outcome of the investigation and any subsequent actions taken will be closely watched to see how Mexico handles similar situations in the future.
