Adrián Rodríguez, a Cuban migrant journeying with a caravan, has reached out to President Claudia Sheinbaum for assistance in reaching Mexico City after a botfly larva infested his wound. According to El Universal, the 27-year-old father of two young children, aged six and just over a year old, is suffering from myiasis, a condition caused by the botfly.
Rodríguez left his hometown of Artemisa in search of a better life in Mexico to support his family, as reported by El Universal. He was hospitalized in Pijijiapan, Chiapas, where the caravan is currently located. "I thought it was a boil. The pain was intense, and the wound grew larger. A friend offered to treat it, but upon inspection, he told me there was a worm, that a fly had laid eggs in it," Rodríguez recounted to El Universal.
Ten days ago, Adrián joined the caravan after working intermittently for two months at a car wash in Tapachula, earning 150 pesos (around $8) a day. His goal is to regularize his status to secure better employment and support his family back in Cuba.
Yesterday, Rodríguez told La Jornada that he first noticed a bump on his calf while passing through Mapastepec, but didn't think much of it. Days later, the bump turned into an open wound with worms, prompting his companions to help disinfect it. However, upon reaching Pijijiapan, he fainted and was taken to a local hospital.
According to El País, the botfly larva that causes myiasis in humans feeds on living tissue. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, foul odor, bleeding, and a sensation of movement within wounds. In severe cases, it can lead to bacterial infections, fever, damage to vital organs, and even death. This parasite, primarily affecting livestock, has raised concerns in Mexico due to an increase in infections in recent weeks.
Migrant Caravan Faces Challenges
The migrant caravan, initially composed of over 1,000 individuals from Cuba, Venezuela, Honduras, Haiti, and other countries, departed from Tapachula on October 1 with the aim of reaching Mexico City to pressure authorities for residence or asylum permits. Many migrants have stated their intention to remain legally in Mexico rather than continue to the United States.
Corruption allegations have been made against Mexico's Commission for Refugee Assistance (Comar) and the National Institute of Migration (INM), with migrants citing delays and arbitrary denials of their applications. The reaction from some Mexican citizens has been alarming for the migrants. This week, a large group protested in Mexico City, demanding the immediate deportation of Cuban and Central American migrants in the caravan.
According to Diario del Sur, due to arrests and harsh conditions along the journey, the caravan's size has dwindled to half. The migrants are currently resting in Pijijiapan, Chiapas, considering their next steps.
Understanding Myiasis and Migrant Issues in Mexico
What is myiasis?
Myiasis is an infection caused by the larvae of certain fly species, including the botfly, that feed on living tissue. It can lead to severe pain, infection, and in extreme cases, death.
Why are migrants heading to Mexico City?
Many migrants are traveling to Mexico City to pressure authorities for legal residency or asylum permits, hoping to establish a legal status in Mexico rather than continuing to the United States.
What challenges are the migrants facing?
Migrants face several challenges, including corruption, delays in processing their applications, harsh travel conditions, and opposition from local populations in Mexico.