Nahualá, a town in mourning for the death of five neighbors in a truck in Texas

Pascual Melvin Guachiac, 13 years old; John Wilmer, 14; and Jonny, 17, three minors, residents of Nahualá, who were traveling without an adult companion to the United States, were the first victims of the tragedy in San Antonio, Texas, who returned to Guatemala.

Melvin was buried on Saturday in Nahualá, among family and friends who gathered to say goodbye to him. The other two minors, as well as two other sisters, were also from there, so the town is now in mourning.

Nahualá is a town where there is great poverty and many take the path of irregular migration to seek a future.

Melvin’s father had also emigrated irregularly and was the one who would receive him in the United States, but upon learning of the death he returned to Guatemala to say goodbye to his son.

“He just fired us, he said he was going to look for a better life,” Casimiro Guachiac said.

Melvin was the first Guatemalan repatriated of the 21 who lost their lives in the tragedy.

“Losing a child is not easy, but we wait for God’s will, which will help us at this time with my wife. It is painful because I have only two children and he is the oldest, “added the victim’s father.

The repatriation of 18 more Guatemalans who were inside what many call the “van of death” is pending.

“We are doing what we have to do, which is to help in the repatriation of families, consular follow-up and support for them,” said Guatemalan Foreign Minister Mario Búcaro.

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