VOICED : Carteles reclutan emigrantes

Central American migrants face numerous challenges on their journey through Mexico to the U.S. They are often victims of extortion by corrupt police and criminal groups. Additionally, they are vulnerable to drug cartels, such as the powerful Zetas, who impose taxes on those wishing to board the train. Some migrants, like Samuel, resist these pressures, but the alternative is often a life without legal status in the U.S., assuming they can cross the border.

What is one of the main dangers faced by Central American migrants traveling through Mexico?

• Lack of food and water

• Extortion by corrupt police

• Natural disasters

• Language barriers

Which criminal group is mentioned as being powerful and dangerous in Mexico?

• The Sinaloa Cartel

• Los Zetas

• The Gulf Cartel

• The Juarez Cartel

What kind of offers do migrants receive from criminal groups?

• Protection from other criminals

• Jobs in agriculture

• Salaries for kidnapping and extortion

• Free passage to the United States

What new challenge do migrants face from cartels according to humanitarian organizations?

• Taxes to board the train

• Deportation threats

• Increased border security

• Language barriers

What difficult choice do migrants face when dealing with criminal groups?

• Finding legal assistance

• Deciding whether to pay for protection

• Resisting criminal groups or living undocumented in the US

• Choosing between different routes