Six Guatemalans have been arrested and charged in connection with a human smuggling operation tied to a deadly truck crash in Mexico in 2021 that claimed the lives of more than 50 migrants. The arrests were made on Monday, coinciding with the three-year anniversary of the tragedy, authorities from the U.S. and Guatemala announced.
The crash occurred when a semi-trailer truck, packed with over 160 migrants, collided with a pedestrian bridge support in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas, Mexico. Many of the victims were Guatemalan nationals attempting to reach the United States.
Guatemalan authorities detained Tomas Quino Canil (36), Alberto Marcario Chitic (31), Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino (24), and Josefa Quino Canil de Zavala (42). U.S. authorities arrested Jorge Agapito Ventura at his residence in Cleveland, Texas. A sixth individual was also detained in Guatemala, though their name was redacted in the U.S. indictment.
The suspects face charges of conspiracy, endangering lives, causing serious bodily harm, and deaths resulting from their smuggling activities.
According to the unsealed indictment in Laredo, Texas, the accused were part of a smuggling network that transported migrants from Guatemala through Mexico to the U.S. Migrants were moved on foot and in overcrowded vehicles, including microbuses and tractor trailers. In some cases, unaccompanied minors were instructed on what to say if apprehended.
The smugglers reportedly used Facebook Messenger to coordinate the delivery of identification documents to facilitate illegal crossings into the United States.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas described the tragedy as evidence of the “ruthless and dangerous” nature of human smugglers, warning migrants against risking their lives in such ventures.
Guatemalan Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez identified the suspects as members of a criminal organization known as “Los Quino.” Four of those arrested in Guatemala are now facing extradition to the United States.
Authorities conducted 15 search operations across Guatemala on Monday with support from U.S. and Mexican officials.
