Six Guatemalans Arrested in Smuggling Case

On the third anniversary of a tragic semi-trailer crash in Mexico that killed over 50 illegal immigrants, U.S. and Guatemalan authorities announced the arrest of six individuals linked to a human smuggling operation. The crash involved a truck carrying approximately 160 migrants, primarily from Guatemala, which collided with a pedestrian bridge support in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. Among those arrested were four Guatemalan nationals and one man apprehended in Texas, with a sixth arrest confirmed but not publicly identified. The indictment details charges of conspiracy, placing lives in jeopardy, and causing serious bodily injury or death. The smugglers allegedly used Facebook Messenger to coordinate their operations, which included moving migrants in various vehicles and providing scripts for potential encounters with law enforcement. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the importance of holding human smugglers accountable for their actions that exploit vulnerable migrants.