“My daddy drowned and died”, the tragic story of a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy who migrated with his family to the United States

The migration Irregular travel to the United States by Ecuadorian citizens continues to leave tragic stories in the different routes that are being used.

In recent weeks, the disappearance or kidnapping of several citizens has been reported. The case of a family that was trapped in the middle of the Rio Grande, on the border between Mexico and the United States, was recently known.

“There is a new wave of migration to the United States,” the organization warns, considering the number of Ecuadorians trying to cross into that country

The National Institute of Migration announced last Wednesday the rescue of a woman and her five-year-old son in the middle of the Rio Grande, which was registering a strong current and low temperatures.

Personnel from the Beta group of the institution located the 23-year-old woman with the minor she was carrying in her arms trying to revive him in the middle of one of the pillars of the International Bridge 1. The rescue was carried out through an airboat and they were given the first aid as well as being covered with thermal sheets.

The woman said that her partner had disappeared in the river, so search efforts were undertaken, but the body had not yet been found.

In statements collected by Telemundo, the 5-year-old boy, Jonathan, recounted that his “daddy drowned and died.” He was on his father’s shoulders and they tried to cross the river, but in the middle of the flow they realized how deep it was.

‘The imposition of visas for Ecuadorians in some countries such as Mexico and Guatemala, since 2021, has caused irregular migration to increase on other routes’

The man sank, while Jonathan’s mother was left floating thanks to her backpack and intervened so that the minor does not sink.

“My daddy was carrying me by the shoulders and he choked and my mommy pulled me,” Jonathan said.

The mother continued the story indicating that the minor had lost consciousness due to the cold and that he was also drowning. She said Jonathan was white so she gave him CPR.

“I got very desperate and pulled my son to a stone… Later I wanted to rescue him (partner), but he no longer appeared, he already sank and disappeared,” he added.

Both were taken to a hospital in the town of Piedras Negras to be evaluated and receive care.

Ecuadorian migrants were kidnapped in Mexico, reveals organization

In the first three months of fiscal year 2023 in the United States (the year begins in October), the Customs and Border Protection Office announced that more than 35,000 Ecuadorians had been detained, ten thousand more than the previous fiscal year.

The NGO 1800Migrante.com indicated that the number can double or triple if the number of compatriots who manage to cross or travel to the United States with a visa and stay are counted. (YO)