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Authorities in Guatemala detained a group of 15 Cuban immigrants, including four minors, and the alleged coyote who was transporting them on a road in the south of the country on Saturday night.
In an operation by the Prosecutor's Office against the Illicit Trafficking of Migrants and the National Civil Police (PNC), José Luis Barreno Velásquez was arrested for the crime of human trafficking, according to a statement from the Public Ministry.
The man was driving a minibus with license plates P436FQG, in which 15 Cubans and one Iranian citizen were traveling, who "did not present documentation proving their legal entry and stay in Guatemala," authorities indicated.
The arrest took place at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, at kilometer 63.2 of route CA9, heading towards Puerto Quetzal, Escuintla.
After his arrest, Barreno was brought before the competent court and will face charges of human smuggling, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison in the Central American country.
The migrants were provided with the appropriate protection and were transferred to the Guatemalan Institute of Migration (IGM), which will determine their status in the country.
The police seized $2,085 and a cell phone during the operation.
The capture of the Cuban and Iranian migrants occurred exactly one week after agents from the PNC and the IGM detained 88 migrants traveling irregularly through Guatemala, including Cubans, along with two suspected human traffickers, in the Jutiapa department, near the border with El Salvador. The migrants' final destination was the United States, according to the official report.
Guatemala is one of the main transit routes for migrants trying to reach the U.S., among them, a large number of Cubans.
In recent months, the government of the Central American country has intensified control operations on roads and borders to curb irregular transit, due to the increase in migration flows in the region.
Despite the fact that the immigration policies imposed by the Donald Trump administration since January have led to a decrease in the arrival of Cuban migrants to the U.S., many continue to pursue their goal of reaching that country.
Frequently asked questions about the detention of Cuban migrants in Guatemala
Why were the Cuban migrants arrested in Guatemala?
Cuban migrants were apprehended for irregularly entering Guatemala, as part of an operation against human trafficking in the country. In this case, a group of 15 Cubans was detained, including four minors, along with the alleged smuggler who was transporting them.
What happens to Cuban migrants after they are detained in Guatemala?
After their detention, the Cuban migrants receive humanitarian assistance and are transferred to the Guatemalan Institute of Migration. There, the corresponding legal procedures are managed, which may include repatriation or relocation to shelters while their migratory situation is resolved.
What measures is Guatemala taking against human trafficking?
Guatemala has intensified its operations against human trafficking, especially due to the increase in irregular migration flows. These measures include operations on highways and borders, as well as the detention of coyotes and migrants without legal documentation.
What is the final destination of Cuban migrants passing through Guatemala?
The final destination for many Cuban migrants passing through Guatemala is the United States. However, due to stricter immigration policies in the U.S., some have had to reconsider their plans or face detentions along the way.
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