A recent publication by Reuters presents a harrowing narrative about the increasing sexual violence faced by migrants in the border cities of Reynosa and Matamoros, Mexico. Carolina, one of the victims, had a shocking account of being raped by kidnappers when she hoped to be forced to call her family in Venezuela to ask for a ransom. The attack, according to Carolina, took place on a broken bus parked outside her hideout.

This episode of sexual violence is not an isolated case; There was a significant increase in similar cases in the aforementioned cities in September, according to data from the Mexican government and human rights groups. Criminal groups, including cartels, are kidnapping migrants and sexually abusing them as part of the extortion process to obtain money from their families or to secure their passage through the region.

“The Gulf Cartel and the Northeast Cartel are both active in the region and kidnap migrants for ransom, particularly those who arrive without smugglers' protection, according to security analysts. Reuters was unable to contact the two groups. Some migrants are also spending more time in the dangerous region, waiting to secure an appointment on the app. Tens of thousands of people a day are competing for 1,450 slots, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)”.

From this reality, there has been a shift in U.S. border policy under President Joe Biden’s administration, whereby migrants are encouraged to use an app called CBP One to book appointments at legal crossings instead of resorting to smugglers. However, this has not eliminated the risks faced by migrants, as many still have to pay to enter territory controlled by criminal groups, which leads to serious abuses.

The report notes that U.S. authorities are aware of these issues and have expressed concern about reports of sexual abuse against migrants. However, the situation remains critical, with victims who are afraid to report crimes to the authorities due to safety concerns.

The tragedy of these stories is compounded by the fact that many migrants are searching for a better life and escaping difficult situations in their home countries. The lack of safety and the risk of sexual violence during the journey make their search for safety and a better life even more difficult and dangerous.