Mexican authorities rescue more than 16,000 migrants from 46 countries in four days

Mexico’s National Institute of Migration (INM) rescued 16,096 migrants from 46 countries between November 17 and 20, who were transiting irregularly through 22 entities of the Mexican national territory, the entity informed today, Monday.

In a statement, the INM detailed that most of the foreign migrants helped during those four days were from Central and South American countries: 4,968 from Venezuela, 2,987 from Guatemala, 1,385 from Nicaragua, 1,311 from Honduras, and 1,285 from Ecuador.

Given the increase of people in irregular transit through Mexican territory, the dangers to which migrant traffickers expose them, and the low temperatures that can put their lives and health at risk, the INM decided to increase the open-door attention centers for the migrant population in eight states, according to the communiqué.

The government agency, attached to Mexico’s Ministry of the Interior, reiterated its commitment to “safe, orderly and regular migration, with full respect and safeguarding of the rights of those who enter and transit through Mexican territory,” given the increase in migratory volumes.

Also on Monday, the INM reported the early morning detention of 337 migrants transported in four buses that evaded a checkpoint in the eastern state of Veracruz and attempted to flee.

The migrants, including 43 minors traveling alone, were from Central and South American countries.