The tension experienced by thousands of Cubans stranded in southern Mexico erupted into violence once again. This time, the incident resulted in the suspension of a municipal worker in Tapachula, Chiapas, after he was caught hitting a Cuban migrant in a public park.
The incident occurred in Miguel Hidalgo Central Park, a recent scene of confrontations between authorities and migrants who are surviving in precarious conditions. According to local media reports, Municipal Public Services personnel were attempting to evict the foreigners selling products or using the space to charge their cell phones when the altercation took place.
In videos shared on social media, a worker —part of the Centinela program— can be seen throwing punches at the Cuban, while other migrants shout "discrimination." The images sparked immediate outrage, in a context already marked by reports of abuses against the migrant community.
Following the controversy, the Secretary of Municipal Public Services, Carlos Bracamontes, ordered the immediate suspension of the employee and the initiation of an administrative process, according to information from Diario del Sur. The official stated that, regardless of what happened, city employees must act in accordance with the law.
The official version claims that the migrant reportedly reacted aggressively beforehand, insulting and hitting a municipal worker. A complaint was even filed with the Chiapas Attorney General's Office by the victim. However, testimonies from migrants and circulating videos partially contradict this narrative and reinforce the perception of excessive use of force.
“People are sleeping on the floor… I just want to move, work, speak English, but I can’t get out of here,” shared Cuban migrant Lázaro Vallesteros with UnoTV, reflecting the limbo in which thousands of islanders find themselves trapped in Tapachula.
The city has become a migration hotspot where, according to recent estimates, thousands of Cubans remain stranded after being deported or blocked in their attempts to move north. Without permits to travel freely and lacking clear options, many find themselves exposed to operations, evictions, and episodes of violence.
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