With the start of the holiday season and the massive return of Mexicans living in the United States, numerous complaints have surfaced regarding abuses of authority on the Coahuila border. Travelers entering through Piedras Negras accuse municipal and state police officers, as well as alleged federal agents, of demanding illegal fees to allow them passage.
The focus of these irregularities is located on the initial stretches of Highway 57, encompassing the route toward Monclova and Castaños. Testimonies from those affected, such as Javier (from Dallas) and Jesús Reyes (from Memphis), indicate that the checkpoints begin just a few kilometers from the border. Despite having legal documentation, both reported being robbed of between $1,000 and $1,600 under threat, noting that the officers refuse payments in Mexican pesos.
A critical point identified by the victims is a checkpoint near the Aura ejido, where alleged members of the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) demand large sums of money.
Despite this situation repeating itself year after year, the migrants continue their journey driven by the desire to see their families.
Source: centinelasaltillo
