Clashes between cartels and fear of recruitment are two of the causes that increased internal displacement in the country related to violence by 20 percent. Chiapas and Guerrero stand out in the global report that accentuates the devastating passage of the hurricane in Acapulco.
MEXICO CITY (apro).- Mexico registered 11,000 displacements associated with conflict and violence in 2024, 20 percent more than the previous year, according to the Global Report on Internal Displacement 2024 released by the Organization of the United Nations (UN).
However, the figure pales compared to the 187 thousand movements caused in a single day by Hurricane Otis, according to the report prepared by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC).
The document prepared in co-authorship with the International Organization for Migration (WMO) highlights the role of disasters, violence and conflicts as increasing triggers of displacement.
On a global scale in 2024, 47 million new displacements were recorded to raise the number of people living in situations of internal displacement to 75.9 million by the end of the year.
Chiapas, the state most affected by violence
Regarding internal displacement due to violence, the report highlights that Chiapas was the most affected state, as a result of the clashes between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel.
Historically, the two groups have fought for their strongholds in the northern states, but have expanded their presence throughout Mexico and Guatemala, with which Chiapas shares a border, the document explains.
There it is mentioned that the most significant conflictive displacement event of 2024 in Mexico occurred between May 21 and 26 in the town of Frontera Comalapa, on the border with Guatemala.
The clashes caused around four thousand displacements, some for fear of forced recruitment. The closure of main roads by the groups restricted new movements, the report details.
Around 392,000 people were displaced as a result of the conflict and violence in Mexico at the end of the year, the highest number since records began for the country in 2009, the report mentions.
More than 50 thousand homes destroyed
However, according to the report, Hurricane Otis, which hit the state of Guerrero, on the Pacific coast of Mexico on October 25, was the largest displacement disaster to occur in the region, causing 187,000 movements.
It is considered the most powerful storm to ever hit the Pacific coast of Mexico after rapidly intensifying from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in 12 hours.316
Otis destroyed around 50,000 homes, prolonging the displacement of many of those affected, states the report, available at this link.
