Creation of an Immediate Action Group Against the International Network of Human Smugglers Responsible for the Tragedy that Occurred in Chiapas
Mexico City, December 12, 2021
The tragic accident that occurred yesterday in Chiapas has claimed the lives of 55 people of different nationalities and left more than one hundred people injured, all allegedly victims of an international network of human smuggling.
We mourn the loss of human life and extend our condolences and solidarity to the families and friends of the victims. We wish for the speedy recovery of those who were injured. Providing medical care to the injured has been a priority.
We condemn and repudiate the heinous acts and criminal actions of international networks of human smugglers. We are working in coordination so that accident victims and their families receive all of the assistance and consular support they require. In the face of tragedy and pain, we will act with determination.
The countries of the region announced on Friday the creation of the Immediate Action Group against the network of human smugglers responsible for the tragedy in Chiapas to investigate, identify, apprehend and bring to justice the members and commanders of the responsible transnational criminal organization of this human tragedy. It is unacceptable that multinational human smuggling networks continue to be responsible for the terrible loss of life. We have a shared commitment to apply the full weight of the law against those who are responsible, in addition to working in a coordinated manner to combat human smuggling in all its manifestations.
Each country will undertake investigations in their own territory and, in addition to the existing legal cooperation tools, a mechanism will be established to exchange information in a fluid and direct manner, in order to present results to the relatives and to the public as soon as possible.
This mechanism is open to all countries in the region and already has the support of Guatemala, Ecuador, the United States, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
The countries of the region reiterate our support for safe, orderly and regular migration and we reiterate our repudiation of the actions of international criminal networks for smuggling in persons.