Guatemalan Authorities Respond to Influx of Mexican Refugees Amid Drug Violence

GUATEMALA CITY – Nearly 600 Mexicans have crossed into Guatemala seeking refuge from escalating violence linked to drug cartels, according to Guatemalan officials. President Bernardo Arévalo announced that his administration is collaborating with local governments in Huehuetenango and Cuilco to provide assistance to those fleeing conflict in Mexico. Reports indicate that the refugees, comprising men, women, children, and the elderly, left their homes due to food shortages and ongoing battles between organized crime groups. The violence is primarily attributed to territorial disputes between powerful cartels from Sinaloa and Jalisco, which have increasingly extended their conflicts into Chiapas, a Mexican state bordering Guatemala. These groups are vying for control over lucrative smuggling routes for drugs, migrants, and firearms. Recent incidents in Chiapas have resulted in significant displacement, including an event in June where 5,000 people were forced to flee after armed men set homes ablaze in Tila. Despite the alarming situation, Chiapas’ state security agency reported no incidents in the area, and Mexico’s foreign affairs ministry has not commented on the refugee situation. The Guatemalan National Disaster Reduction Coordinator confirmed that the first wave of refugees began arriving in Cuilco on Tuesday, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by those escaping violence. Tragically, among the refugees was a 91-year-old woman who died during the journey after being unable to bring her diabetes medication.