Mexican Marines Freed 104 Central Americans Held Captive By Zetas In Nuevo Laredo

Tip led to the rescue of 104 undocumented immigrants from Central American held captive by Zetas in Nuevo Laredo.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 14, 2013

Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico - The Mexican Secretary of Marines (Semar) confirmed that a tip led to the rescue of 104 undocumented immigrants from Central America held captive in a Nuevo Laredo home by Zetas. Semar said, 91 men, 13 women, which 102 were from Honduras and 2 from El Salvador had been kidnapped by members of a criminal organization known as Zetas.

A nearby resident in the neighborhood 105 Aniversario de Nuevo Laredo called Semar and said, that armed men had been seen dragging people from vehicles and forcing them into a home. On March 7, Semar launched a rescue operation and managed to rescue the immigrants from a Zeta held security home. 

The immigrants told Semar, that they had been held captive since March 3.

The immigrants were provided medical treatment, food and are expected to be deported back to their native countries.

Between 2008 to 2012, Semar has rescued 331 undocumented immigrants that were kidnapped and held captive by various criminal organizations.

Immigrants who fall victim to organized crime are forced to pay extra to be smuggled through Mexico. Some are forced to join and work for criminal organizations or are held for ransom. Others end up in prostitution rings and drug trafficking operations. In many occasions, immigrants are usually killed after their families from their native countries pay a hefty ransom.