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A 20-year-old Cuban citizen was injured by a gunshot in the back on Sunday afternoon after a man broke into his home and opened fire with a homemade firearm in Tapachula, Chiapas, local authorities reported.
The attack occurred around 1:00 p.m. on Hormiguillo Street, between 18th and 20th Sur, in the Reforma neighborhood, in the southeast of the city, according to a report by the Diario del Sur.
After hearing the gunshots, neighbors alerted the emergency services at 911, which allowed for the rapid deployment of members from the Immediate Reaction and Intervention Special Group (GERI) of the Municipal Police.
During the operation, three Honduran citizens were arrested, identified as Kensi Michell, 30 years old; Bryan José, 33; and Josué Geovanny, 26.
The agents also seized several homemade weapons, commonly known as "chimbas," which are crafted from metal pipes and are often used in criminal activities along Mexico's southern border.
The Cuban migrant, identified as Maikol Enrique Rodríguez Perdomo, received pre-hospital care from paramedics from the SAE group before being transferred to a hospital for treatment. Members of the Immediate Reaction Force Pakal (FRIP) and the State Preventive Guard also joined the operation.
The three detainees have been placed at the disposal of the Attorney General's Office (FGE) of Chiapas, which is investigating them for the alleged crimes of assault, illegal possession of a firearm, and organized crime, as well as other charges that may arise as the investigation progresses.
The authorities also reported that they will inform the National Migration Institute (INM) to verify the immigration status of those arrested, determine if they have criminal records or outstanding warrants in Honduras, and establish if they have ties to criminal organizations.
The case once again highlights the insecurity faced by thousands of migrants in Tapachula, a city that has become a focal point for foreigners who are stranded in the south of Mexico.
A report from Human Rights Watch, published in May 2026, documented that more than 4,300 Cubans deported from the United States remain trapped in cities such as Tapachula and Villahermosa, where they face constant risks of extortion, kidnapping, and other forms of violence. Civil organizations estimate that up to 60,000 migrants from various nationalities are stranded in that region.
Cuban migrants have already been victims of other violent episodes in Tapachula. In April of this year, several reported assaults by municipal officials in Miguel Hidalgo park, while in 2025, multiple kidnappings of Cubans were reported, with their families paying ransoms of up to $10,000 for their release.
The Attorney General's Office is continuing its investigation to clarify the motive behind the attack and to determine whether those arrested are part of any criminal organization operating in the region.
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