The Secretariat of the Navy assisted 28 young people, 27 minors aged 14 to 17, and one 18-year-old, who were aboard a vessel in the high seas off La Paz, Baja California Sur. Although initial reports indicated a rescue operation and that the youths were allegedly being kidnapped, Sinaloa's Civil Protection agency ruled out that it was a human trafficking incident. Ángel Daniel Corrales López, head of Civil Protection, stated that the young people are agricultural day laborers returning to Chiapas after a workplace inspection in Baja California Sur failed to verify they had parental or legal guardian authorization to work. Subsequently, the Secretariat of the Navy stated that the 28 people arrived at their own initiative at the port terminal of Terminal Dos in La Paz, Baja California Sur. The operation was carried out by the Naval Commands of the Fourth and Eighth Naval Zones, based in La Paz, BCS, and Topolobampo, Sinaloa. After personnel from the Naval Unit for Port Protection (UNAPROP) of La Paz detected an atypical situation, the Naval Command arranged for their transfer to the Port of Topolobampo aboard the vessel 'Santa Marcela II', belonging to Transportes Marítimos de California (TMC). Upon arrival in the port of Topolobampo, UNAPROP personnel from the Eighth Naval Zone took the necessary steps to receive the 28 individuals. They were provided with medical attention, and they are reported to be in good health. They were also given food and water. 'They were handed over to the competent authorities, who will be responsible for providing comprehensive care and determining their situation for their return to their place of origin.'
