Central Americans in U.S. Face Dangerous Trip Home

Last Update: 12/09 7:02 pm

LOS INDIOS - A dangerous journey faces Central Americans in the states this holiday season. They'll have to travel through Mexico as they return to their families.

Travelers going home to Central America for the holidays are afraid of dealing with the Zeta drug cartel gang.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS caught up with some travelers at the Los Indios International Bridge headed to Central America for the holidays. Harrison Marroquin, a Rhode Island resident, says it will take two days to travel through Mexico. His final destination is Guatemala. He's concerned about dealing with the Zetas when he crosses the border.

"It's dangerous in Mexico. I have heard of the Zetas stopping people to ask for money to pass checkpoints. That's scary," says Marroquin.

Edwin Zespes is going home to Costa Rica. He has heard the worst spots are in Valle Hermoso and Tampico.

"We will travel together in caravan. We hope to have four families together. The least we will have will be two. We never travel alone," says Zespes.

Both of these men have a plan to avoid becoming a victim

"We know about the dangers. We are planning to travel during the daytime only. We will avoid travelling at night," says Zespes.

"It's just not smart to give the Zetas an opportunity to rob us. I will travel when there is light out and travel all day without stopping," says Marroquin.

It's a good plan for these families. They just hope they can make it home safely for Christmas

Residents traveling to Central America must get approval from Customs and Border Protection. It's a three-day process. CBP workers verify they own the cars before they cross the border.

Los Indios is the only bridge in the United States where this can be done with a vehicle. There are two other locations, but they are seaports. Those are in Houston and Miami.

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