mexican Authorities to Seal Clandestine Tunnel Linking Ciudad Juarez to el Paso
In a meaningful advancement along the US-Mexico border, Mexican authorities have announced plans to seal a clandestine tunnel discovered on January 10, connecting Ciudad Juarez to the Texan city of El Paso. The tunnel, equipped with advanced features like lighting, ventilation, and a support system to prevent collapses, spans approximately 300 meters on the Mexican side.
General jose Lemus, commander of the military garrison in Ciudad Juarez, revealed that the tunnel was concealed within a rainwater collector between the two cities. Its access measures about 1.8 meters high by 1.2 meters wide, allowing for the easy passage of people or goods. “the construction of the tunnel must have taken a long time… perhaps one or two years,” lemus told journalists, though he declined to specify how long it had been operational or who might be behind its construction and use.
The discovery has sparked an investigation led by the Mexican attorney general’s office,which aims to determine whether there was complicity among local authorities.“The tunnel was built without them realizing it,” Lemus noted, highlighting the sophistication of the operation.
Interestingly, clues about the tunnel’s existence and location where reportedly shared by smugglers on social media platforms, including tiktok. This revelation underscores the evolving tactics used by criminal networks to facilitate illegal activities across the border.
The discovery comes amid heightened security measures on both sides of the US-Mexico border, particularly as US President donald Trump prepares for his inauguration. Trump has promised a mass expulsion of illegal migrants upon taking office, a stance that has intensified tensions in the region.
In a related incident, authorities in Chihuahua state, which includes Ciudad Juarez, reported a fire at a temporary camp for undocumented migrants. The blaze led to the evacuation of 39 adults and 17 minors, according to local police. The Mexican daily Reforma suggested that migrants themselves set the fire to resist arrest, as immigration services attempted to transfer them to Mexico City ahead of their expulsion from the country.
The National Migration Institute has yet to respond to requests for comment on the incident.
Key Details of the Clandestine Tunnel
| Feature | details |
|—————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Location | Ciudad Juarez to El Paso |
| Length | 300 meters (mexican side) |
| Access Dimensions | 1.8 meters high by 1.2 meters wide |
| Construction Time | Estimated 1-2 years |
| Features | Lighting, ventilation, and support system to prevent collapses |
| Discovery Date | January 10, 2025 |
As Mexican authorities move to seal the tunnel, the incident highlights the ongoing challenges of border security and the lengths to which criminal networks will go to exploit vulnerabilities. The investigation into its construction and use remains ongoing, with potential implications for local authorities and border enforcement strategies.
For more information on border security developments, visit the HSI San Diego Tunnel Task Force.
