Costa Maya has become ‘sanctuary’ for undocumented immigrants

XCALAK, Q. Roo — The Port of Xcalak has become a ‘sanctuary’ for people of Central American origin, such as Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador, who illegally arrive to Quintana Roo’s Costa Maya in search of work and new opportunities.

And while most of these undocumented immigrants seek an honest way to earn a living, there are also some who engage in criminal practices that, according to local people, affect the tourist image that seeks to boost southern Quintana Roo.

In the opinion of the mayor of Xcalak, Jorge Castro, the sea route composed of the island of San Pedro (Belize) and Xcalak, is the one used by Central Americans to enter Mexico.

Although he said he has no statistics on the number of people who make up that exodus, in Xcalak, but especially in the Mahahual area, one can note the presence of those who come from Central America.

“Many do look for work, while others pretend to be tourists, although some foreigners who live in the Costa Maya consider that they are responsible for the increase in thefts that occur in houses, shops, fishing gear and boats,” he said.

The mayor of Mahahual intends to carry out a census of workers to know the origin and background of the high rates of robbery on the present year.

SOURCE: http://laverdadnoticias.com/