Chiapas: Warnings over Spread of Violence at Guatemalan Border

@Red TDT

On May 26th, several human rights networks warned about “the resurgence of violence that is taking place in different territories of Chiapas”, particularly in several municipalities on the border with Guatemala. They denounced “the events that occurred on May 24th and 25th in the municipalities of Frontera Comalapa, Chicomuselo, La Trinitaria and Amatenango de la Frontera” specifying the following: “Entire communities cut off from highways and roads, suspension of classes in schools, power outages that isolate the population, burning vehicles, installation of a narco banners, armed confrontations, threats of entry to check cell phones, kidnappings, forced recruitment of men from the communities to integrate them into their ranks, and death to those who put up any resistance.”

Several media outlets have reported the same thing based on testimonials, also pointing out forced displacements in various areas due to fear of violence allegedly unleashed by clashes between the Jalisco New Generation and Sinaloa cartels for control of the border area, which have increased since mid-2021. Recordings broadcast on networks show children, men and women fleeing their homes in the face of clashes.

Likewise, various testimonies report a large number of executions, reporting at least 60 deaths, including a child who was the victim of crossfire.

The situation continues to be highly tense and violent, and until now there is no public knowledge of an intervention by the authorities or the security forces to respond to what is still happening.

For more information in Spanish:

Urgente frenar violencia generalizada en la Región Frontera de Chiapas (RedTdt, 26 de mayo de 2023)

Por enfrentamiento entre cárteles y reclutamiento forzado, este día se desplazan familias de Chiapas (Chiapas Paralelo, 26 de mayo de 2023)

Balaceras y bloqueos paralizan a Frontera Comalapa, Chiapas (La Jornada, 26 de mayo de 2023)

Continúan las confrontaciones entre el CJNG y de Sinaloa en Chiapas (El Universal, 26 de mayo de 2023)

Desplazados en Frontera Comalapa: Violencia obliga a mujeres y niños a huir (El Heraldo de Chiapas, 26 de mayo de 2023)

Ejecuciones, reclutamiento y desplazamiento forzado en la frontera sur de Chiapas (Frayba, 28 de mayo de 2023)

For more information from SIPAZ:

Chiapas: No Respite from Violence in Chamic for Residents and Travellers (May 18, 2022)

Chiapas: Forced Disappearances Continue in Chamic-Frontera Comalapa (March 27, 2023)