Three Venezuelan immigrants lost their lives after a vehicle struck them on Monday as they walked along a highway near Tapachula, a border city in Chiapas, Mexico, close to Guatemala. Civil Protection officials confirmed the fatalities on Tuesday, noting that the pedestrians were traveling along the Tapachula-Tuxtla Chico international corridor when the accident occurred. The victims, whose identities had not yet been released, were part of a group of migrants moving through the region in hopes of reaching the United States.
In the wake of the crash, Chiapas Civil Protection authorities urged travelers and migrants to avoid walking along roadways, especially when trying to cross international routes. The officials warned that pedestrians face a high risk of being struck by vehicles in areas not designated for pedestrian passage. Julissa Esther Briones, the Civil Protection delegate for the Soconusco region, noted that more people were injured in the incident and transported to the Tapachula district hospital for treatment. She emphasized that caravan crowds have shifted from the past, with current groups ranging from 30 to 50 individuals moving along the coast of Chiapas and often traveling at night. The call was clear: migrants should pursue legal avenues and proceed with caution to avoid endangering themselves and others who are already navigating a perilous journey.
Many immigrants find themselves stranded without proper entry documents, leading to delays in processing and prompting some to walk along roads in search of routes to safety. The risks multiply when mobility is hindered by paperwork backlogs and prolonged wait times at border checkpoints, forcing people to rely on informal travel options that can be dangerous.
On Tuesday, nearly 500 migrants—spanning multiple nationalities including Russians, Turks, Venezuelans, Cubans, Hondurans, and Chinese—gathered at immigration offices operated by Mexico’s National Institute of Migration (INM). Their goal was to seek authorization to cross through Mexico toward the northern frontier and, ultimately, reach the United States. The scene reflected ongoing strains in the migration system as individuals seek timely resolution to their legal status and travel permissions.
A report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) highlights the scale of the issue, noting that in 2022 Mexican and U.S. authorities deported more than 196,300 Central American citizens, including over 35,000 children and adolescents. The figures underscore the human toll of migration challenges in the region, where families and individuals press on against a backdrop of bureaucratic hurdles, perilous travel, and shifting policy environments. The situation continues to draw attention from international organizations and humanitarian observers alike, who advocate for safer, more orderly processes that respect the dignity and rights of migrants while addressing border security concerns.