Activists are raising concerns about a large group of gunmen who kidnapped more than 200 migrants making their way north toward the Sonora-Arizona border. Despite relatives wiring thousands of dollars to the alleged kidnappers, the migrants remain missing.
Breitbart News points out the exclusive report by El Sol de Hermosillo, the group of migrants had been loaded into a tractor-trailer late last month, destined for the border city of Sonoyta, Sonora, located just south of Arizona. As the truck approached the town of Cuahutemoc, Chihuahua, it broke down, forcing the migrants to walk to another location where human smugglers were supposed to pick them up.
Tragically, a large number of gunmen appeared, kidnapping the migrants and breaking them into smaller groups of 10-15 before stuffing them into their trucks. It remains unclear where the kidnappers took the migrants. Some relatives, quoted by Mexican media, claim they were brought to the border city of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, just south of El Paso, Texas. The migrants have been missing for more than 15 days, according to El Sol de Hermosillo.
The border region of Sonora is controlled by factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, while the regions near Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, are under the control of the Juarez Cartel. Both criminal organizations are engaged in a long-standing turf war for control of lucrative drug and human smuggling routes into the United States.
Relatives told the Mexican newspaper that since the day of the kidnapping, they have been receiving threatening messages through WhatsApp, where the alleged captors gave instructions on wiring money to secure the release of their loved ones. Some relatives have wired as much as $10,000; however, the kidnapped migrants remain missing.
The incident highlights the dangerous journey many migrants face as they attempt to cross into the United States, often falling victim to violent criminal organizations that exploit their vulnerability. Activists are calling for increased attention and action to address the plight of these missing migrants and ensure their safe return.