Mexican Soldiers Kill Six Migrants in Tragic Chiapas Incident

On the night of October 1, 2024, tragedy struck along the Villa Comaltitlán-Huixtla highway in Chiapas when Mexican soldiers opened fire on vehicles carrying migrants, resulting in the deaths of six and injuring ten others. According to a report released by the National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA), the soldiers mistook the migrants for criminal elements during a routine patrol.

It all started at approximately 8:50 p.m. when the soldiers spotted a speeding pickup truck. The vehicle evaded the military personnel, raising suspicions, especially as two flatbed trucks—commonly used by criminal groups in the region—followed behind. Soldiers claimed they heard gunfire, prompting two of them to open fire, stopping one of the flatbeds.

When the soldiers approached, they discovered 33 migrants of various nationalities, including Egyptians, Nepalis, Cubans, Indians, Pakistanis, and individuals of Arab descent. Four migrants were found dead at the scene, with 12 more injured. Despite first aid efforts and transportation to Huixtla General Hospital, two more died from their injuries.

A nighttime image shows the rear of a red flatbed truck, filled with black bags. Scattered on the grass are more bags and two bodies lying motionless, dressed in dark clothing. The dim lighting highlights the tragic aftermath of the Chiapas incident, evoking a sense of violence and loss.

This incident has quickly turned into a political firestorm for President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration, marking a significant challenge to her policies on military engagement and human rights. Public reaction on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) has been a mix of outrage, misinformation, and critiques of Mexico’s militarization of law enforcement.

The two soldiers responsible for the gunfire have been removed from duty, pending a full investigation by the General Attorney for the Republic (FGR) and the Military Attorney General’s Office. SEDENA stressed their commitment to transparency and cooperation with authorities to ensure the responsible parties are held accountable.

Press Release No. 23

SEDENA reports on events in Chiapas

Mexico City, October 2, 2024 – The National Defense Secretariat informs the public of preliminary data on events that occurred on October 1 of this year along the Villa Comaltitlán-Huixtla highway in Chiapas.

At approximately 8:50 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, members of the Mexican Army, during land reconnaissance, detected a pickup truck speeding. Upon seeing the military personnel, the vehicle evaded them. Following the pickup truck were two flatbed trucks commonly used by criminal groups in the region. Military personnel reported hearing gunfire, prompting two soldiers to activate their weapons, stopping one of the flatbed trucks.

Subsequently, military personnel approached and identified 33 migrants of Egyptian, Nepali, Cuban, Indian, Pakistani, and Arab nationalities. Four of them were found dead, 12 were injured, and 17 were unharmed. The military personnel provided first aid to the injured and transported them to Huixtla General Hospital in Chiapas, where two more died. The 17 unharmed migrants were handed over to the National

Coordination was established with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to maintain communication with the relevant embassies.

The National Defense Secretariat, in the scope of its competence, reaffirms its commitment to act strictly according to the law, under a policy of zero impunity, and remains attentive to the requests of civilian authorities for clarification of these events.

While the surviving 17 migrants have been handed over to the National Institute of Migration (INM), the repercussions of this event are far from over. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs is in contact with the respective embassies of the affected individuals, as Mexico braces for the diplomatic and domestic fallout.

In a country where the lines between crime, migration, and national security are often blurred, this incident is a stark reminder of the dangers migrants face—not just from criminal elements but also from the very forces meant to protect them. For the migrants involved, their journey ended not with hope but with tragedy.

Sources:

Reuters – Mexican Soldiers Open Fire on Migrants in Pickup Truck Trying to Evade Patrol, Killing 6 People and Injuring 10

SEDENA Official Press Release