Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In a harrowing event that underscores the perilous journey many migrants undertake, more than 50 individuals from various nationalities were attacked and countless massacred in the Sáric region of the Sonoran Desert on the night of Thursday, February 15. The victims were traveling aboard three vehicles when they were ambushed in a violent attack attributed to organized crime.
The organization 1800Migrante.com, which provides legal aid and support to migrants, released a statement detailing the incident. According to reports, the attack resulted in numerous injuries and the tragic death of a four-year-old Ecuadorian child. However, official confirmation and details from Sonoran authorities remain scarce, fueling concerns and desperation among the victims' families.
A survivor, Carlos (name altered for protection), provided a firsthand account of the terror they faced. He described how their convoy was forcefully off-roaded by an impact from behind, followed by an onslaught of gunfire from assailants. The attackers, described as wearing blue military uniforms and armed with high-caliber weapons, including grenade launchers, engaged in a firefight with another group, indicating a clash between rival factions.
Carlos, originally from Peru, managed to escape with a group of Ecuadorians. After a harrowing journey through the desert, he reached the United States and contacted 1800Migrante.com to seek assistance in finding his sister, Ana Vidal, whose fate remains unknown since the attack. Ana, described as wearing black attire with white sneakers and identifiable by several tattoos, is among the many whose whereabouts and condition have yet to be determined.
The lack of information and apparent inaction by Mexican authorities have sparked outrage and calls for transparency. William Murillo, a spokesperson for 1800Migrante.com, criticized the Mexican government for its failure to ensure the safety of its roads and accused it of complicity with criminal organizations that terrorize migrants.
This tragic event adds to the grim tally of migrant lives lost or endangered by the violence that plagues their journeys. 1800Migrante.com has appealed for any information regarding Ana Vidal, assuring confidentiality for those who come forward. The organization continues to demand accountability and answers from the Mexican government, hoping to provide some solace to the families of the victims who are caught in a desperate search for their loved ones.
1800Migrante.com, based in New York, has been a vocal advocate for migrant rights and against human rights abuses for 17 years, offering a critical support network for those navigating the complexities of migration in the Americas.
