San Fernando Migrant Massacre: How US, Mexican and Latin American Governments Share Responsibility

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/26658-san-fernando-migrant-massacre-how-us-mexican-and-latin-american-governments-share-responsibility

Tuesday, 07 October 2014 10:35
By Camilo Perez Bustillo and Azadeh N. Shahshahani, Truthout | News Analysis

Mexico is the leading case in Latin America of the devastating effects of US policies related to migration, free trade and the so-called "drug war." The victims include tens of thousands of migrants who undertake the long, difficult journey toward the United States through Mexican territory from Central America and beyond. An international tribunal has recently concluded that the San Fernando Massacre of August 2010 is a crucial example underlining the convergent responsibilities of the governments of Mexico, the United States and countries of origin.

Human rights advocates have long alleged that Mexican . . . authorities . . . shared responsibility for this and similar incidents ultimately attributable to Mexico's role in US-promoted efforts to contain and reduce the flow of migrants heading to the United States through Mexican territory.



Close-up of M4 carbine assault rifle held by a special forces soldier on the Mexican side of the US-Mexico border. (Photo via Shutterstock)


Migrant rights defenders throughout Mexico recently commemorated the fourth anniversary of the massacre, which resulted in the death of 72 migrants in transit, including 13 women, en route to the United States from six countries. Of those killed, 24 were originally from Honduras, 14 from El Salvador, 13 from Guatemala, five from Ecuador, four from Brazil and one from India. Eleven have yet to be identified, due to the mishandling of evidence from the site of the crime and the bodies as a result of flawed forensic procedures. At least two survivors (from Ecuador and Honduras) are currently in witness protection programs, due to recurrent threats to their lives. San Fernando is located in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas, about an hour and a half from the United States border.

FULL story at link.