Migration in Mexico: Death and disappearance of migrants at the hands of organized crime

Abstract

Migration through the various routes across Mexico is today one of the most important, critical, and complex social phenomena. This phenomenon has been a source of significant challenges in recent decades and is characterized by the systematic violence suffered by migrants, as well as the repeated human rights violations they endure during their long journeys. This article analyzes how various organized crime groups established in Mexico have turned migratory routes into high-risk zones and how these groups exploit the vulnerability of migrants for practices such as extortion, kidnapping, human trafficking for various purposes, and even murder and disappearance.Academic sources and reports from international organizations highlight the severity and magnitude of this issue. The collected and analyzed information emphasizes the lack of protection afforded to migrants by the state and the collusion between authorities and organized crime groups, which perpetuates a cycle of impunity that feeds and exacerbates the vulnerability of migrants, particularly in areas controlled by cartels such as Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Chiapas, Veracruz, among others. Additionally, the data allow for an examination of the social and political implications that arise from these dynamics.It is imperative to emphasize the need and urgency of generating a comprehensive approach that combines state action, international cooperation, and civil participation to improve the chances of providing security and dignity to individuals in transit through our country, regardless of their destination.