Last week, Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department announced the recovery of two bodies in the Rio Grande River, near Eagle Pass, Texas, one of which floated into the marine barrier set up by Texas along the river, according to CBS News.
Initially, only one body was reported to be found along the barrier by the Foreign Relations Department. However, the department later revealed that a second body was discovered approximately 3 miles away from the barrier area.
“There are personnel posted at the marine barrier at all times in case any migrants try to cross,” McCraw said.
The state prosecutor’s office in Coahuila confirmed the recovery of the bodies and stated that the process of identification was underway.
The Mexican migration agency later confirmed that one of the deceased individuals was a Honduran national, while the other was Mexican. No details about the cause of death were provided for either case.
Following the discovery of the bodies, Mexican officials condemned the installation of the river barriers.
In contrast, Steve McCraw, the Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, indicated that initial data suggests the body found along the barrier likely “drowned upstream” before being carried to the barrier location.
According to a statement from the Department of Public Safety, personnel are stationed at the barriers constantly to prevent migrants from attempting to cross.
Lt. Chris Oliverez, spokesman for the Texas DPS, noted that the department received a report about a potential drowning victim “floating upstream from the marine barrier” on Wednesday.
The information was shared with US Customs and Border Protection and the Mexican consulate, leading to the discovery of the body at the barrier.
“Later that day a body was discovered at the marine barrier,” Olivarez said.
The marine barrier was erected as part of Operation Lone Star, an initiative launched by Governor Greg Abbott in March 2021 to address “dangerous gaps” along the southern border after the Biden administration declined to enhance border security.
Recently, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Texas over the river barriers, arguing that they violate federal laws governing structures in navigable waters.
