MSF teams have witnessed an increase in the number of migrants since last December, particularly following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Eta and Iota, which had the most severe impacts on Honduras. Along with the increased number of migrants on Mexico’s southern border, there has been a corresponding increase in the violence they face. “Mexico and Central American countries should step up, harmonize their regional migration policies, and protect their citizens. If not, we are only going to witness more deaths like those in Camargo,” says Martín, referring to a recent case involving 19 people whose burned bodies were found inside two vans in Camargo, Tamaulipas state, just 50 miles from the US border. Sixteen of the victims were identified as migrants from Guatemala, and Mexican police officers have been arrested on homicide charges for their deaths. “We will see more arrests of people in overcrowded trucks who are in danger of suffocation, more suffering, misery, torture, and violence,” he concludes.
The Government of Mexico has a responsibility to ensure that asylum seekers and migrants forced to leave their countries due to violence or food insecurity are not criminalized or persecuted in the country. MSF calls on Mexico, the United States, and Central American countries to establish safe and humane migration policies that protect people on the move.