A major breakthrough has been made in the investigation into the deaths of 53 migrants who were found in a sweltering tractor-trailer in Texas in 2022. Guatemalan authorities have announced the arrest of seven individuals accused of being involved in the smuggling operation, including the alleged ringleader, Rigoberto Román Mirnado Orozco.
The arrests were made possible through a collaborative effort between Guatemalan police and US Homeland Security, as well as other national agencies. The operation involved 13 raids in three departments of Guatemala, resulting in the seizure of vehicles and cash, as well as the rescue of other migrants.
According to Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez, the arrests are a significant step forward in dismantling the structures of human trafficking, a key objective of the Guatemalan government. The operation is part of a broader effort to address the phenomenon of irregular migration.
The seven individuals arrested in Guatemala are accused of working with human smuggling operations in Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, and of sharing routes, guides, stash houses, trucks, and trailers. Migrants were allegedly charged up to $15,000 each to be taken across the border, with the fee covering up to three attempts to enter the country.
The investigation into the deaths of the 53 migrants has been ongoing for years, with six people previously charged in connection with the incident. These include Homero Zamorano Jr., who allegedly drove the truck, and Christian Martinez, who have both been charged with smuggling-related offenses.
The arrests in Guatemala include several individuals who are related and carry the Orozco surname, officials said. Guatemalan authorities accuse the group of housing and transferring hundreds of migrants to the United States over several years.
The US Justice Department is expected to hold a news conference to discuss a “significant” arrest in the case, although details have not been released.
