By GUATEMALA CITY — Guatemalan authorities arrested seven individuals on Wednesday in connection with a deadly human smuggling operation that resulted in the deaths of 53 migrants in Texas in 2022. The arrests mark a significant development in the investigation of one of the deadliest migrant smuggling attempts into the United States in recent years.
Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez told The Associated Press that the arrests were made possible through 13 coordinated raids across three of Guatemala’s departments. Among those apprehended was Rigoberto Román Mirnado Orozco, alleged to be the ringleader of the smuggling operation. The United States has requested Orozco’s extradition.
“This is a collaborative effort between the Guatemalan police and Homeland Security, in addition to other national agencies, to dismantle the structures of human trafficking,” Jiménez stated. He emphasized that tackling irregular migration is a strategic objective of President Bernardo Arévalo’s government.
The arrests are linked to the June 2022 incident where 53 migrants from Mexico and Central America were found dead in an abandoned tractor-trailer near San Antonio, Texas. The victims, including eight children, died of asphyxiation after being trapped in the sweltering vehicle during a three-hour journey from Laredo to San Antonio.
According to U.S. authorities, the truck’s air-conditioning unit was malfunctioning, failing to provide cool air to the migrants inside. When discovered, 48 migrants were already deceased, with five more dying in hospitals shortly after.
The victims’ nationalities underscore the regional nature of the tragedy:
– 27 from Mexico
– 14 from Honduras
– 7 from Guatemala
– 2 from El Salvador
Prior to these arrests, six individuals had already been charged in the United States in connection with the case. Homero Zamorano Jr., the alleged driver of the truck, and Christian Martinez were arrested shortly after the discovery.
Martinez has since pleaded guilty to smuggling-related charges, while Zamorano has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial. Four Mexican nationals were also arrested in 2023 for their alleged involvement.
Guatemalan police identified the smuggling organization as “Los Orozcos,” noting that several of those arrested are family members sharing the Orozco surname. The arrests took place in the departments of San Marcos (bordering Mexico), Huehuetenango, and Jalapa.
Authorities allege that the smuggling network operated across Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, sharing resources including routes, guides, safe houses, and vehicles. Migrants reportedly paid up to $15,000 each for up to three attempts to cross the U.S. border.
This case has highlighted the dangers faced by migrants attempting to enter the United States illegally and the sophisticated nature of transnational human smuggling operations. It has also prompted calls for increased international cooperation to combat such networks and address the root causes of migration.
As the legal proceedings unfold both in Guatemala and the United States, the case continues to draw attention to the ongoing challenges of border security, human trafficking, and the complex issues surrounding immigration in the Americas.
