Guatemala Arrests Seven in Migrant Death Case

Guatemalan authorities have arrested seven members of the Los Orozcos gang, including alleged ringleader Rigoberto Orozco, in connection with the tragic deaths of 53 migrants found in a trailer in Texas in June 2022. The migrants, who were being smuggled into the U.S., died from asphyxiation after being left in a hot, unventilated trailer; 48 were dead at the scene, with others succumbing in hospitals. The arrests followed years of investigation and involved collaborative efforts between Guatemalan police and U.S. Homeland Security. Previous arrests included the truck driver and conspirators shortly after the incident. The Guatemalan Interior Minister emphasized that dismantling human trafficking networks is a priority for the government. The ongoing crisis of irregular migration continues to impact many fleeing poverty and violence in Central America.