In a significant operation named Mercaderes de Migrantes, Guatemalan authorities have arrested 14 suspected members of a transnational criminal organization involved in human trafficking. This operation took place in the Huehuetenango department, primarily targeting a structure that had been heavily involved in the illegal trafficking of migrants. Among those detained are two key leaders of this organization, showing a decisive crackdown on this criminal network.

The operation was initiated following a kidnapping report and was aimed at dismantling the criminal structure that specialized in both the trafficking and recruitment of migrants. The investigation revealed that the group, known as Mercaderes de Migrantes, operated mainly in the municipalities of Nentón and San Pedro Soloma, which are located close to the border with Chiapas, Mexico. They lured both domestic and foreign migrants with false promises of providing transportation to the United States through Mexico.

According to the district attorney María Esther Guzmán, the members of this criminal network not only trafficked people but also provided them with shelter and food in warehouses to build trust before subjecting them to further exploitation. This operation highlights the ongoing challenges surrounding human trafficking in Central America and the efforts by authorities to combat such heinous crimes, especially in a region known for its complex migration issues and organized crime links.