Mexican Farmers Seek Safety in Guatemala

In Reynosa, Tamaulipas, local activists have implored the Gulf Cartel and Cartel Jalisco New Generation to intervene and restore peace in the region, following a series of violent kidnappings. The plea comes after the abduction of Juan Manuel Lopez Salinas, a school teacher taken at gunpoint in front of his daughter. Delia Quiroa, spokesperson for the March 10th National Victims Collective, criticized the government’s inaction and called for the cartels to revert to less violent practices that do not endanger innocent lives. The situation in Reynosa reflects a broader crisis in southern Mexico, where nearly 600 residents fled Amatenango la Frontera due to escalating cartel violence. Many left their homes, livestock, and belongings behind, seeking refuge in the impoverished Guatemalan hamlet of Ampliacion Nueva Reforma. Affected individuals expressed fear for their safety, with one farmer stating that the ongoing shootouts made it impossible to secure food for their families. Local authorities, including the mayor of Cuilco, have been criticized for their lack of support for the displaced individuals. Catholic Church leaders have also called on the Mexican government to protect communities from cartel violence, which has included extortion and the use of locals as human shields. In response, the administration of local leader Arévalo has begun coordinating efforts to assist those fleeing the conflict, emphasizing the urgent need for government intervention to ensure community safety.