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In an effort to control mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, Zika, and chikungunya, authorities in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, have hired hundreds of migrants, including Cubans, to participate in fumigation and sanitation brigades.
Workers receive a salary of 2,300 pesos biweekly, below the local average of 3,350 pesos earned by other workers in the region, reported the news portal 14 y Medio.
In addition, migrants also lack social benefits such as medical services, savings funds, or profit sharing, the cited media emphasized.
However, for the Cuban Yaniel, who is part of the brigades, the job, although insufficient, allows him to get by while he awaits a resolution of his immigration status.
The 28-year-old from Havana, who currently resides in Tapachula, Chiapas, indicated that his priority is not to return to Cuba and to seek alternatives in Mexico or other countries in the region.
“I am in the process with the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (Comar) and I have an appointment in May. I trust they will grant me refuge, because if it's not in Mexico, I will look for it in Guatemala, but I will not return to Cuba,” he confessed to 14 y Medio.
Additionally, he emphasized that although the pay is low, at least it is "secure."
Jaiver Urdaneta, of Venezuelan origin and another of the migrants involved in the fumigation brigades, explained that he learned about the job through a friend's recommendation and decided to take it to cover his basic needs while he stays in Tapachula.
The program, in addition to fumigation, includes "debris removal," which is essentially the collection of trash and abandoned items that could become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Although workers face challenges due to job insecurity and a lack of benefits, many see this opportunity as a temporary relief while they seek to establish themselves more securely in Mexico.
A source from the municipal Health Department informed 14 y Medio that "migrants are joining the specialized teams for vector and zoonosis control."
According to the cited source, at the end of January, health authorities intensified monitoring in the border region of Chiapas, as official figures indicated that last year, dengue cases increased by 34% and malaria cases rose by 84%.
In the first two months of the year, there were 600 reported cases of malaria among migrants, stated Omar Gómez Cruz, the state health secretary.
"There is a risk that these diseases will spread," commented Gómez Cruz in local media, highlighting that they managed to control the situation and provide treatment to all affected individuals, who came from countries such as Venezuela, Central America, and Panama.
On the other hand, María Amalia Toriello Elorza, Secretary for the Development of the Southern Border, stated that among the migrants, there are doctors who could significantly contribute to the public health system of Chiapas, which would represent an excellent opportunity for the Cubans stranded in the country.
Toriello stated that they are working on the necessary legal requirements for these professionals to practice formally in the state.
By assigning them to areas where their knowledge can be most useful, not only will the local population benefit, but they will also be allowed to practice their profession in a dignified and regulated manner, he emphasized.
According to AP, starting in January 2025, the daily minimum wage increased by 12%, bringing it to 279 pesos, approximately 13.75 dollars per day.
The previous administration increased the minimum wage by slightly higher percentages than previous governments; however, it still remains remarkably low, especially when compared to the $7.25 per hour that is the federal minimum wage in the United States, the news agency emphasized.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the salary for 2024, set at 249 pesos per day, was valued at 14.25 dollars when announced in December 2023. However, over the past year, the peso has lost approximately 18% of its value against the US dollar, meaning the increase actually represents a slight decrease in constant dollars.
In the early months of 2025, the migration crisis has led many Cubans in Mexico to reconsider their destination. Although the country has traditionally been a transit point to the United States, the new immigration policies of the Donald Trump administration have complicated crossing the border, leading many to choose to settle in Mexican territory.
Due to these restrictions, the asylum offices in southern Mexico have experienced an overwhelming influx of applications, particularly in Tapachula, where thousands of migrants, including Cubans, have flooded the refugee processing system. This situation has created uncertainty for families like that of Daelmis Nodarse, a Cuban mother stranded in Mexico with her three daughters after her appointment with CBP One was canceled.
Despite these challenges, some Cubans have found opportunities in Mexico and highlight the advantages of living in the country. YouTuber Michel Crónicas has shared his experience, emphasizing the freedoms and facilities that Mexico offers in comparison to Cuba, which has led an increasing number of migrants to consider the Aztec nation as a viable destination rather than merely a transit point.
According to reports, an increasing number of migrants are choosing to settle in Mexico, adapting to the local culture and seeking alternatives for their future. The changing perception of Mexico as a final destination could signify a new phase in Cuban migration, amid a global context of tightening immigration policies.
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