Extortion and kidnap - a deadly journey across Mexico
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The influx of migrants across the southern US border has become a critical factor in the US presidential election. Drug cartels in Mexico make the dangerous journey across Mexico even more perilous for migrants. Organized crime has tightened its grip in Ecuador, leading to extortion and threats of death for business people like Eduardo. Thousands of people from around the world are fleeing violence and seeking a new life in the US. Mexico's deadly drug trafficking organizations control the terrain that migrants must cross, and they extort money from them. Migrants are often kidnapped and held for ransom, with demands ranging from $2,500 to $50. Some kidnappers are law enforcement officers who demand money from migrants. The cartels have diversified their activities to include extortion, kidnap, and human smuggling. The Biden administration has introduced measures to dilute the power of the cartels, such as allowing migrants to schedule appointments at US Ports of Entry. Eduardo chose not to risk an illegal crossing and entered the US legally. The cartels also smuggle drugs into the US and sometimes force migrants to transport narcotics. The violence used by the cartels is a key element of organized crime. Migrants who refuse to pay or are abducted may face a terrible fate, such as being shot execution-style. The cartels control human smugglers in Tijuana and other areas along the border. Eduardo's friend in Ecuador was killed by criminals after refusing to leave his family and travel north. The influx of migrants and the role of drug cartels in their journey is often overlooked in the debate about mass migration to the US.
#Migrants #UsBorder #DrugCartels #Extortion #Kidnap #Violence #OrganizedCrime