A joint security operation in Chiapas resulted in the rescue of 22 migrants, including four Cubans, who were being held captive on a ranch along the Tapachula-Viva México highway.
The confrontation with the captors resulted in the deaths of two members of the security forces, six others injured, one suspect arrested, and 14 who managed to escape, local media outlet Diario del Sur reported.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when authorities received reports of an armed group in the area.
During the intervention, the agents were attacked with high-caliber weapons, resulting in a shootout in which Eredin Chacón Márquez, from the Investigation Police, and Carlos Cueto Reyes, a member of the National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA), lost their lives.
Despite the resistance, security forces entered the ranch, freeing 22 migrants: 16 Venezuelans, two Colombians, and four Cubans, including two minors. Additionally, more than 15 long guns were seized, allegedly exclusively for military use.
The rescue is the result of prior investigations following the report of the kidnapping of four Cubans in the center of Tapachula.
The investigations led to the ranch, identified as the operational base of a criminal network dedicated to the kidnapping of migrants for extortion.
The detained individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, faces charges for the crimes committed, while authorities intensify the search for the 14 assailants who fled the scene.
In the past three months, 38 migrant deaths have been reported in Chiapas, highlighting the vulnerability of those seeking to reach the north.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Rescue of Migrants in Chiapas
How many migrants were rescued in the operation in Chiapas?
In the security operation in Chiapas, 22 migrants were rescued, including four Cubans, who had been kidnapped on a ranch.
What happened during the armed confrontation in Tapachula?
During the armed confrontation in Tapachula, two security personnel lost their lives and six were injured. Additionally, one suspected criminal was arrested and 14 others managed to escape.
What nationalities did the rescued migrants have?
The 22 rescued migrants included 16 Venezuelans, two Colombians, and four Cubans, among them two minors.
What measures are the authorities taking after the rescue?
Authorities are intensifying the search for the 14 assailants who fled the scene and are continuing investigations into the criminal network involved in the kidnapping of migrants for extortion.
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