Guatemala City police have arrested seven Guatemalans accused of smuggling 53 migrants from Mexico and Central America who died of asphyxiation in Texas in 2022. The arrests were the result of ongoing investigations into the tragedy, which was the deadliest case of migrant smuggling across the Mexico-U.S. border. Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez announced that the arrests were made possible after 13 raids in three departments of the country. The alleged ringleader, Rigoberto Román Miranda Orozco, has had extradition requested by the United States.
Six individuals were previously charged in connection to the smuggling of the migrants, who died in a tractor trailer in Texas due to extreme heat and lack of adequate ventilation. Homero Zamorano Jr. and Christian Martinez, both from Texas, were arrested shortly after the incident. Martinez later pleaded guilty to smuggling-related charges, while Zamorano pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. Four Mexican nationals were also arrested in connection to the case. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned the actions of human smugglers who put profit above human lives, emphasizing that those responsible will be brought to justice.
Authorities have stated that the men involved in the smuggling operation collaborated with human trafficking networks in Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, sharing resources such as routes, stash houses, trucks, and trailers. Migrants paid up to $15,000 each to be transported across the U.S. border, with the fee covering up to three attempts. The organization, known as “Los Orozcos,” illegally housed and transferred hundreds of migrants to the United States, collecting millions of quetzales in the process. The arrests of the individuals involved in the operation took place in various departments in Guatemala.
The investigation into the smuggling operation revealed that the migrants were aware that the trailer’s air-conditioning unit was malfunctioning, leading to the tragic deaths of 48 individuals upon arrival in San Antonio. Another 16 migrants were taken to hospitals, where five more succumbed to their injuries. The victims included individuals from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The Guatemalan government, in collaboration with national agencies and Homeland Security, has been working to dismantle human trafficking networks as part of the government’s efforts to combat irregular migration.
The tragic incident shed light on the dangers faced by migrants seeking to cross borders in search of better opportunities. The collaborative efforts between Guatemalan authorities and international agencies aim to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The arrests of the individuals involved in the smuggling ring serve as a reminder that those who engage in human trafficking for profit will face consequences for their actions. The memory of the 53 migrants who lost their lives in the Texas smuggling case serves as a somber reminder of the challenges faced by individuals fleeing their homes in search of safety and security.
