Fatal Confrontation on US-Mexico Border Involves Migrants and National Guard
A tragic incident occurred over the weekend near the US-Mexico border, resulting in the deaths of two Colombian migrants and injuries to four others. According to Mexico's National Defense Secretariat, the confrontation took place when members of the National Guard encountered armed civilians while patrolling a known migrant trafficking route in La Rumorosa, Baja California. During the altercation, the National Guard repelled gunfire from two vehicles, leading to a chaotic scene where one vehicle fled while the other resulted in casualties.
The deceased were identified as Yuli Vanessa Herrera Marulanda, 37, and Ronaldo Andrés Quintero Peñuelas, 20. The Colombian Foreign Ministry expressed its condolences and confirmed that the injured migrants were receiving medical treatment at a local hospital. In response to the incident, three National Guard members involved have been suspended pending an investigation, highlighting the ongoing tensions and dangers faced by migrants in the region.
Tragic Shipwrecks in the Canary Islands Claim Lives of Migrants
In a separate but equally tragic event, over the weekend, at least seven migrants died in two shipwrecks while attempting to reach the Canary Islands. More than 1,500 migrants arrived in the islands aboard 27 boats during this perilous journey. Emergency services reported that survivors recounted witnessing the death of 48 individuals whose bodies were thrown into the sea during their crossing.
The Maritime Rescue teams worked tirelessly, rescuing numerous individuals from inflatable boats in distress. Notably, a cargo ship saved 54 people from a deflating boat near Lanzarote, while others were rescued from life rafts and the water. Despite the harrowing circumstances, the number of irregular migrants arriving by sea has increased significantly this year, with over 32,000 recorded by mid-October, reflecting a 39.7% rise compared to the previous year. The Ministry of the Interior is expected to release updated statistics on migrant arrivals, as the situation continues to evolve amid ongoing humanitarian challenges.
