According to statistics by the Mesoamerican Migrant Movement [1] [es], in the last six years around 70,000 migrants [2] [es] have disappeared in Mexico. For several years, Central American mothers of abducted and missing migrants have traveled all over Mexico looking for their sons and daughters who have disappeared on their way north.
The route used by Central American migrants who travel through Mexico to get to the United States is a deadly odyssey. Many migrants die in the attempt, and when they arrive to Mexico they suffer from extreme weather, hunger, and harassment and abuse by organized crime groups and the authorities.
Even if the mothers of these migrants don’t find their sons and daughters, the women hope to capture the media’s attention and raise awareness on this issue that has been largely ignored.
Omar Sanchez de Tagle from Animal Politico [3] [es] recounts the main idea behind the trip of these Central American mothers and where they will tour:
La idea de esta caravana es recorrer la llamada ruta migrante que comprende unos 4 mil 600 kilómetros a lo largo de 14 estados y 23 localidades. De acuerdo a distintas organizaciones no gubernamentales dedicadas a la defensa del migrante, este recorrido tiene como finalidad denunciar que la inseguridad, el secuestro y homicidio de migrantes ha ido en aumento en los últimos seis años.
The idea of the caravan is to travel through the so called migrant route, which is about 4,600 kilometers across 14 states and 23 localities. According to various non-governmental organizations dedicated to the defense of migrants, this tour aims to expose that insecurity, kidnapping and murdering of migrants has been increasing in the last six years.
In the blog Somos El Medio [5][es], representatives of the Mesoamerican Migrant Movement explain where the participants are planning to stay during the caravan:
En cada una de las 23 localidades donde pararemos contamos con el apoyo de una gran variedad de actores mexicanos solidarios quienes son los anfitriones locales: albergues de migrantes, colectivos, organizaciones no gubernamentales, Institutos de Migración de los Gobiernos de Tlaxcala y Tamaulipas y del Distrito Federal, universidades, activistas y defensores de los derechos de los migrantes, cuyos nombres se verán reflejados en la agenda de actividades de la caravana.
In each of the 23 locations where we stop we have the support of a wide variety of Mexican actors and supporters who are the local hosts: migrant shelters, groups, organizations, Institutes of Migration from the Governments of Tamaulipas and Tlaxcala and from Mexico City, universities, activists and defenders of the rights of migrants, whose names will be reflected in the program of activities of the caravan.
Marcela Salas Cassani, in the blog Desinformemonos [6] [es], writes the success story of this year’s caravan:
La caravana de madres centroamericanas Liberando la esperanza, que tiene previsto visitar 15 estados de la República Mexicana en 20 días para localizar a migrantes desaparecidos en el camino hacia Estados Unidos, ha comenzado a rendir frutos. Hasta el momento, son cuatro las personas que han logrado reencontrarse con sus familiares: Max Funes, Marvin Celaya, Gabriel Salmerón y Silverio Mateo.
The caravan of Central American mothers “Releasing Hope” which is scheduled to visit 15 states of the Mexican Republic in 20 days, in order to locate missing migrants en route to the United States, has begun to bring results. So far, four people have been reunited with their families: Max Funes, Marvin Celaya, Gabriel Salmerón y Silverio Mateo.
The caravan, which has already started, will go through the capital, Mexico City, on October 27 and 28 and will finish on November 3 in Chiapas [7], in southern of Mexico.
See more photos of the caravan of Central American mothers on SubVersiones [4].
Article printed from Global Voices: http://globalvoicesonline.org
URL to article: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2012/10/24/mexico-central-american-mothers-caravan-in-search-of-missing-migrants/