Tapachula, Mexico – Migrants along the Mexico-Guatemala border are expressing strong interest in working on major infrastructure projects such as the Mayan Train, the Interoceanic Corridor, and new industries promised by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. These developments are part of a plan to strengthen the region as an industrial hub in Central America and to provide new job opportunities to help mitigate migration.
In Tapachula, the largest city on the border, migrants and local business leaders spoke to EFE about their optimism following a recent meeting between Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo and Sheinbaum. The two leaders discussed bringing the Mayan Train and industrial manufacturing hubs to the region, aiming to create jobs and improve local economies.
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Denis Olivera Aguirre, secretary of the Association for the Development of Markets in Tapachula, believes these projects will attract more migrants due to the employment opportunities they will create. “In their home countries, people are facing serious security and economic challenges. When they see new sources of employment in Mexico and Guatemala, they will be drawn here,” Olivera said. He added that the closure of U.S. borders under President Donald Trump’s policies might make this region a new job source for migrants.
Tapachula Mayor Aarón Yamil Melgar Bravo pointed out that Sheinbaum had previously declared that Tapachula would become the economic capital of the state of Chiapas and even of Central America. The city has nearly 400 hectares of land available for industrial projects, including the completion of railroad tracks connecting the Isthmus of Tehuantepec to Puerto Chiapas, which would facilitate trade between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as between North and Central America.
“Once the rail network is finished, we’ll be able to unload and load containers for both ships and trains, boosting trade. The other rail branch will extend to Suchiate, on the Guatemala border,” Melgar explained.
Sheinbaum has repeatedly emphasized that addressing the root causes of migration is key. Following a record-breaking 925,000 irregular migrants in Mexico in 2024, she has called for a strategy focused on providing well-paying jobs rather than deploying security forces. “We need to provide jobs so people don’t migrate out of necessity,” Sheinbaum said in a statement on April 11. She also highlighted the importance of collaboration with Guatemala to develop the region into a migration hub that benefits both countries.
For many migrants, these developments are seen as a hopeful opportunity. Venezuelan migrant Luz Marina described the plans as a “great proposal,” especially for those seeking work in Mexico after U.S. migration restrictions under President Trump. “We are ready to help Mexico and Guatemala,” she said. “There are many of us who want better working conditions, and we are eager to contribute. A workforce of 700, 800, or even 1,000 migrants from Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti could make a significant impact.”
Cuban migrant Deivy Gurrola also voiced support for the initiatives, urging Mexican authorities to facilitate regular residency for migrants wishing to work on these projects. “We want to be able to work, pay rent, and support ourselves,” she said. “We’re looking for work that suits our needs and would allow us to live here in Mexico.”
The growing interest among migrants comes as Mexico has seen a significant increase in deportations, with more than 24,000 deportees in the first eight weeks of President Trump’s new term, including over 4,500 foreigners. However, Sheinbaum has promised to provide support for those who choose to stay in the country and take part in the industrial and infrastructure developments underway in the region.
SOURCE : EFE. | Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube
