The city is located on Mexico’s southern border in the state of Chiapas, a little less than 20 kilometers from the Suchiate River, which separates the country from Guatemala. Over time, it has become an obligatory transit point for thousands of Central American migrants trying to reach the United States. It has a sound highway system, solid roads, and two ports that face the Pacific Ocean. What’s more, it is the first stop of an infamous cargo train known as “La Bestia,” or the Beast, which connects this southern region to the center of Mexico. It is also home to multiple groups fighting for control of very lucrative criminal economies.
