Governments offer help to families on Mexico’s southern border

MEXICO CITY (EFE).— The governments of Mexico and Guatemala are offering consular assistance to Mexican citizens in Cuilco, Huehuetenango, who have been refugees in the Guatemalan municipality for several days after fleeing the country due to the threat of drug cartels fighting over the territory.

In a joint statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), both governments stated that they are interviewing Mexicans who have traveled to Guatemala “to offer them humanitarian and consular assistance, as well as the possibility of voluntary return in conditions of dignity and safety.”

They noted that, in accordance with international law, Mexicans who express their decision to return to their country will have the corresponding consular support from the competent institutions of Mexico and Guatemala.

“The authorities will coordinate with the offices of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Guatemala in the execution of actions under their authority,” they said.

They also said that they are working “closely” to provide care and protection to Mexicans in Cuilco and have committed to offering assistance, food and support to the people, “to ensure an adequate stay in Guatemala.”

They said the returns will be planned jointly by the two countries, and in dialogue with the Mexican people, establishing a schedule of dates and times for the same.

“These will be carried out with the support of personnel from the Guatemalan Migration Institute, as well as in coordination with the corresponding security agencies,” they added.

They stressed that in the border communities where Mexicans are located, the Guatemalan government has reinforced territorial and citizen security, in addition to adapting public facilities to accommodate them.

“In order for Mexicans to be in a regular immigration situation, the Guatemalan Migration Institute is extending the certification of humanitarian stay, which is valid for 30 days and can be extended,” they reported.