88 Mexicans remain refugees in Guatemala due to violence from organized crime

At least 88 people of Mexican origin requested to extend their refugee status in Guatemala, due to the violence in the southeast of the country.

According to the Guatemalan Migration Institute, initially 83 people requesting renewals of extensions for displaced people in conditions of mobility were assisted and five new registrations were subsequently added.

The extension gives them an additional 30-day extension to remain in the country on a regular basis, this being the third extension granted since July, when hundreds of people arrived due to violence.

The IGM also mentioned that 21 Mexicans requested refuge in the municipality of Cuilco, Huehuetenango.

The intervention is led by the Subdirectorate of Care and Protection of the Fundamental Rights of Migrants of the Guatemalan Migration Institute, with the participation of a multidisciplinary team that includes the Childhood and Adolescence Care Unit, the Department of Recognition of the Status of Refugee -DRER- and the Field Verification Unit of the Immigration Control Subdirectorate, reported in a statement.

Likewise, there is the participation of various institutions such as the PDH, UNHCR, while the PNC and the Army provide permanent security in the area.

During July, Guatemalan authorities reported that hundreds of Mexicans from Chiapas crossed the border fleeing violence in the region, caused by disputes between two organized crime groups.

According to Elsa Hernández, governor of the department of Huehuetenango, there are around 300 people who arrived, although the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction, consulted by the Associated Press agency, indicates that there are 580 people, including women, children and adults. older.

For his part, the President of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, announced that there would be collaboration and attention to the refugees and a shelter was installed in the department of Huehuetenango.

In the Sierra and Frontera area of ​​Chiapas, for months there have been constant confrontations, armed attacks, blockades and homicides due to the territorial dispute between the Cartel of Sinaloa and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Given this situation, the Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas Human Rights Center pointed out that at least 14 municipalities in the region are at “imminent risk” due to the resurgence of violence, and also warned that criminal gangs are carrying out forced recruitments.

Following the events, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the staff of the Mexican consulates located in Quetzaltenango, Tecún Umán and Petén interviewed the displaced people to offer them assistance as well as the option of voluntary return to the country.

Meanwhile, the Guatemalan Migration Institute issued the certification of humanitarian permanence, which is valid for 30 days, which were extendable in 88 cases.