### Families Displaced by Violence on the Rise
As federal authorities continue to downplay the displacement of Mexicans fleeing their communities due to violence, a trend not only heading towards the northern parts of the country but also seeking refuge in Central America, the phenomenon shows no signs of abating. Organizations like the Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights (CMDPDH) note at least 40 documented cases of internal displacement events in 11 states in 2023 alone.
The forced movement of nearly 1,500 families who abandoned their homes underscores two critical factors: the presence and violence of organized crime groups and territory disputes. Last year’s displacement incidents were concentrated in states such as Chiapas, Chihuahua, State of Mexico, Guerrero, Michoacán, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. Although comprehensive statistics for 2024 are still in progress, there have been frequent shifts in residence among indigenous communities, women, children, elderly, and those with disabilities due to violence.
Notably, at the beginning of the year, about a thousand individuals from the community of Cipoco in Santa Maria del Oro, Jalisco had to flee temporarily due to attacks involving improvised explosive devices and drone strikes against military personnel.
### Chiapas Leads the Displacement Surge
Recent months have seen Chiapas at the forefront of displacements. Historically, conflicts in this region have revolved around land ownership and the exploitation of natural resources. However, disputes between drug trafficking groups such as the Sinaloa Cartel (CDS) and the Chiapas-Guatemala Cartel allied with Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) have exacerbated the situation. Massacres recorded in January, March, May, and June in Chicomuselo and La Concordia further intensified this exodus.
In July, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador downplayed the displacement of 2,800 Chiapan people from Tila who eventually returned with National Guard support, and another 362 who fled to Guatemala, with half remaining there. Nevertheless, CMDPDH documents the displacement of hundreds across multiple states, revealing an alarming pattern of human movement driven by crime and violence.
### Further Impact Across the Country
The northern states, notably Chihuahua, have seen substantial displacements. In Guadalupe and Calvo, 39 individuals fled in June due to armed confrontations, and a similar number of indigenous families left a locality in Guachochi the following month. In Sinaloa, over 212 individuals from several localities were displaced in July 2023 due to organized crime violence.
In Sonora, around 500 people fled toward other states and the U.S. due to violent incidents in late 2023. Tamaulipas saw the exodus of 500 families from Los Guerra in March, driven by kidnapping and forced disappearances of local youth. Various other states, including Guerrero, Michoacán, Oaxaca, and Zacatecas, also report significant displacement due to ongoing violence and territorial conflicts between rival criminal groups.
### The Continuing Struggle
Violence-fueled displacements are a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis affecting many Mexican communities. Despite efforts to address this issue, the CMDPDH’s documentation highlights the persistent threat that organized crime poses to societal stability and safety.
## Further Reading
### New Developments in Mexican Displacement
1. **Indigenous Peoples Displaced in Chiapas**
The latest reports indicate that indigenous populations in Chiapas face increasing threats from organized crime groups. In September, at least 68 families were displaced from Chicomuselo under duress from the criminal organization “El Maíz,” aligned with CJNG.
2. **Violence in Guerrero Sparks New Wave of Displacement**
This year saw numerous incidents in Guerrero, including the displacement of 246 people from Coyuca de Catalán in February due to organized crime threats. The involvement of La Familia Michoacana in violent incursions continues to escalate the region’s instability.
3. **Michoacán’s Escalating Conflict Drives Families from Homes**
Amid criminal violence, over 800 villagers were displaced from various localities in Apatzingán in June. Recent confrontations involving drone attacks mark a new phase in the ongoing territorial struggles.
Jarring statistics and harrowing details from multiple states underline the pervasive challenge that violence poses across Mexico. Continuous updates will be necessary to fully grasp the scope and future trajectory of this humanitarian crisis.