The city of Tapachula, in Mexico, has become a critical point of insecurity, according to activists consulted by EFE. The city faces an alarming situation due to the dispute between organized crime groups for control of drug and human trafficking from South America.
The National Urban Public Security Survey (ENSU) revealed that more than 91% of Tapachula residents perceive high levels of insecurity, placing it first nationally in this index. Local businessmen, such as Roberto Alejandro García, have warned about the increase in violence in the city over the last three years, highlighting the frequency of homicides in various areas of the municipality.
According to collected testimonies, thefts, extortions, executions, shootouts, and kidnappings are reported in a city where the perception of security is practically non-existent. Additionally, there is mention of a fluctuating population of around 70,000 unregistered individuals from over 20 nationalities, creating a breeding ground for the exploitation of migrants by corrupt police officers.
Activist César Augusto Caňaveral, director of the 'Belén' shelter, has requested security measures to protect migrants who are there, expressing fear of becoming victims of organized crime. On the other hand, the perception of "civil war" in Chiapas, the state where Tapachula is located, has been mentioned due to an increase in forced displacement, homicides, and disappearances linked to the conflict between criminal groups.
The mayor of Tapachula, Yamil Melgar Bravo, has stated that the municipality concentrates 60% of migrants in Mexico, in a context where irregular migration has significantly increased in the country during the first half of the year. Local citizens express their concern about the insecurity situation they are experiencing, describing a grim scenario where drug and human trafficking intertwine with police corruption and lack of protection from authorities.
