San Fernando Massacre of 2010

The bodies of 72 migrants from South and Central America were found in a shed of an abandoned ranch in the Mexican town of San Fernando in the state of Tamaulipas. The events occurred between August 21 and 23, 2010 and among the deceased were men, women and kids from Honduras, Brazil, El Salvador, Ecuador and Guatemala.

The bodies were found with signs of torture, blindfolded and shot. All of them were trying to cross the Mexican border to go to the United States. Only a young Ecuadorian man was able to survive the massacre, as he pretended to be dead for several hours and then managed to flee to safety.

A year after the massacre, new mass graves with hundreds of victims were discovered in the same place.

Members of the group "Los Zetas" are considered the main suspects in the massacre

After being treated for his injuries, the only survivor told the authorities that the killers identified themselves as members of the group "Los Zetas" and decided to execute them because the migrants did not accept to work as hitmen for this organization criminal.

According to another version of what happened, the migrants did not accept to become "mules" for the transport of drugs.

In any case, by refusing to cooperate with the criminals, they were ruthlessly executed.

The San Fernando episode must be understood in the context of the migration illegal to the United States. In this sense, every year thousands of Latin Americans illegally cross the Mexican border seeking "the American dream" and end up becoming the victims of organizations Mexican criminals.

While the Zetas and other criminal organizations are involved in drug trafficking, kidnapping and extortion of migrants have become a new source of income for the narcos.

A carnage that is still shrouded in mystery

In spite of the investigation police, those responsible for the San Fernando Massacre have not been brought to justice provision of justice. On the other hand, there are well-founded suspicions about the participation from local authorities.

Journalists who have investigated these crimes reveal some striking facts. First, the young Ecuadorian who miraculously saved his life was immediately returned to his country in a witness protection program and the media. communication they could not know his testimony.

Second, a few days after the massacre an official and a local police officer investigating the crimes were found beheaded.

Finally, the inhabitants of the town of San Fernando have not been able to collaborate with the justice system, as they fear possible reprisals from the cartels.