Irregular Cuban Migrants Intercepted in Guatemala After Detention of Coyotes Transporting Them

Irregular Cuban migrants are now in the custody of Guatemalan immigration authorities following the interception and detention of the alleged coyotes transporting them.

The 18 Cubans were traveling on a yellow Freightliner bus along with 21 Ecuadorians, seven Dominicans, and five Nepalese, allegedly led by the 3 individuals now in police custody.

The National Civil Police (PNC) of Guatemala reported on their social networks that the events took place in the jurisdiction of Los Esclavos, Cuilapa during the execution of a joint operation to dismantle attempts at human trafficking.

Investigators from the Specialized Division in Criminal Investigation (DEIC) and the Inspectorate General and the police of Santa Rosa intercepted the bus carrying these 51 individuals irregularly.

All of them, PNC reported, were provided with primary care and subsequently sent to the shelter of the Guatemalan Institute of Migration in zone 5 to resolve their irregular immigration status.

The 3 alleged human traffickers were identified as José “N”, Luis “N”, and Yermis “N”, aged 25, 23, and 18 respectively, and will face criminal proceedings for their actions.

This type of police operation is quite frequent in Guatemala and is aimed at stopping human trafficking and smuggling, as well as the transit of irregular migrants through the country.

According to the most recent update of immigration laws, those individuals could face sentences of up to 30 years in prison for illegally transporting people or significant fines.

Regarding the detained migrants and their transfer to the shelter, given their illegal entry into the country and the lack of a visa authorizing their transit through the country, these individuals will be deported to their regions of origin, in accordance with Guatemalan law.