Body caught in Rio Grande floating barrier, says Mexico
A body has been found stuck in a floating barrier installed by Texas authorities in the Rio Grande river on the US border, Mexico’s foreign ministry has said
Authorities were working to identify the body found in the river and determine the cause of death, said Mexico’s foreign ministry, as it reiterated safety concerns.
The crossing is a popular area for migrants seeking to reach the United States.
The Texas government installed the barrier in July and said at the time the buoys would “help deter illegal immigrants attempting to make the dangerous river crossing into Texas”.
The Mexican ministry said: “We are concerned about the impact on migrants’ human rights and personal security that these state policies could have, as they go in the opposite direction to close collaboration.”
The Texas government did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Mexico has sent two diplomatic letters to the US saying the barrier violates a water treaty and may encroach on Mexican territory, according to a statement from Mexican authorities published last week.
The US justice department also showed opposition to the buoys by suing Texas last month, arguing they pose threats to navigation and public safety, and present humanitarian concerns.
A joint letter from more than 60 organisations was sent to Texan state legislators on Tuesday urging them to put an end to “violent border strategies” and remove the buoys from the Rio Grande, the Border Network for Human Rights organisation said in a statement.
Source: The Guardian US
