31 Migrants Kidnapped on Tamaulipas Border; most are Venezuelans; Search Intensifies
Armed Group Abducts 31 Migrants in Tamaulipas; Massive Search Underway Amidst Border Violence Surge
On December 30th, 2023, a significant incident occurred in the border region of Tamaulipas, Mexico, marking a worrying continuation of violence in the area. A group of armed men in five trucks intercepted a Grupo Senda bus on the Reynosa-Matamoros highway at around 7:26 PM, abducting 31 migrants of various nationalities, including predominantly Venezuelan families. The victims were traveling from Monterrey to Matamoros, presumably for humanitarian asylum appointments in the U.S. The bus driver reported the incident, leading to a coordinated response from the National Guard, state police, and the Secretary of National Defense, who escorted the remaining five passengers and drivers to safety in Matamoros.
The abduction highlights a disturbing trend of increasing violence and kidnappings, particularly against migrants, in the Tamaulipas border region. Despite alerts from migrant defenders about escalating kidnappings, the incident occurred on a major highway during a busy holiday season, raising questions about the effectiveness of security measures in the area. The Tamaulipas government confirmed the kidnapping two days later, but details about the victims' nationalities and the circumstances of the abduction were not fully clarified.
This event, occurring thirteen years after a similar incident in San Fernando, reflects the ongoing challenges of migrant safety and border security in the region. The coordinated efforts of various security institutions underscore the seriousness of the situation yet also point to the complexities and difficulties in combating such violence and ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations like migrants.