Current:Home > Back'A violation of our sovereignty': 2 bodies found in Rio Grande, one near a floating barrier-LoTradeCoin
'A violation of our sovereignty': 2 bodies found in Rio Grande, one near a floating barrier
View Date:2025-01-11 09:41:09
Officials in Mexico are investigating after two bodies were found in the Rio Grande along the U.S-Mexican border − one of them spotted this week along a floating border barrier installed by Texas authorities.
Officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety notified the Mexican consulate about a dead person caught in the southern part of the buoys in the Rio Grande spotted on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The incident marked the first time a body had been found along the floating barrier recently installed at the direction of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
Members of the Mexican National Institute of Migration's assistance unit, Grupos Beta, led efforts to recover the body, the agency reported. As of Thursday that person's cause of death and nationality were not known.
Texas Department of Safety spokesperson Ericka Miller told USA TODAY Thursday DPS received a report of a possible drowning victim floating upstream from the marine barrier on Wednesday.
"DPS then notified U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Mexican Consulate," Miller said. "Later that day a body was discovered at the marine barrier."
“Preliminary information suggests this individual drowned upstream from the marine barrier and floated into the buoys,” DPS Director Steve McCraw said “There are personnel posted at the marine barrier at all times in case any migrants try to cross.”
A second body found in the Rio Grande
Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department later reported the second body was located about three miles upriver, away from the bright orange, wrecking ball-sized buoys.
Authorities in the state Coahuila later told local media outlets both bodies were in the process of identification.
The second person's cause of death was also unknown.
Children bloodied by razor wire:Along Texas' floating border barrier, migrant children left bloody by razor wire
'A violation of our sovereignty'
Installed in July, the buoys are the latest escalation of border security operations in Texas.
Last month, USA TODAY reported migrant children and adults have been lacerated by razor wire installed by the state.
Over the Fourth of July weekend, before the buoys were installed, four people drowned in the river near Eagle Pass.
The Foreign Relations Department said Mexico previously warned about risks posed by the buoys along the nearly 1,900 mile river. Department leaders also said the barrier violates treaties regarding the use of the river and Mexico's sovereignty.
"We reiterate the position of the Government of Mexico that the placement of chained buoys by Texas authorities is a violation of our sovereignty," the Mexican government said in a press release Wednesday. "We express our concern about the impact on the human rights and personal safety of migrants of these state policies, which run counter to the close collaboration between our country and the United States."
The Mexican agency said the death investigations remain under investigation and "will maintain contact with the corresponding authorities in Mexico and the United States" in an effort to gather information about what happened.
Live:Updates of Donald Trump indictment: Ex-president due in court for third arraignment
Feds sue Texas over floating barrier
The U.S. Justice Department is suing Texas over the barrier after Abbott refused to remove the barrier the Biden administration says was unlawfully put into place.
Late last month, the White House called Abbott's actions "dangerous" and "unlawful" after the governor defied the Justice Department's request and told the president he would see the Biden administration in court.
On July 20, the Justice Department sent the governor a letter ordering him to remove the barrier. Texas' actions violate federal law and "raise humanitarian concerns," it warned.
Contributing: Associated Press
Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Horoscopes Today, November 10, 2024
- All the Candid 2024 Oscars Moments You Missed on TV
- Biggest moments from the 2024 Oscars, from Emma Stone's surprise win to naked John Cena
- See Emma Stone, Margot Robbie and More Stars' Fashion Transformations for Oscars 2024 After-Parties
- What is ‘Doge’? Explaining the meme and cryptocurrency after Elon Musk's appointment to D.O.G.E.
- Da'Vine Joy Randolph wins best supporting actress Oscar: 'God is so good'
- NFL draft order 2024: Where every team will make picks over seven rounds, 257 picks
- John Mulaney and Olivia Munn Are a Perfect Match in Custom Fendi at 2024 Oscars
- Stock market today: Asian stocks decline as China stimulus plan disappoints markets
- King Charles III Promises to Serve to the Best of My Ability in Commonwealth Day Address
Ranking
- Why Amanda Seyfried Traded Living in Hollywood for Life on a Farm in Upstate New York
- Anatomy of a Fall Dog Messi Pees on Matt Damon’s Star at 2024 Oscars
- Da'Vine Joy Randolph's Emotional 2024 Oscars Speech Will Make You Tear Up
- Read all about it: The popularity of turning captions on
- Britney Spears Reunites With Son Jayden Federline After His Move to Hawaii
- Da'Vine Joy Randolph's Emotional 2024 Oscars Speech Will Make You Tear Up
- Emma Stone Makes the Rarest of Comments About Her Daughter as She Accepts 2024 Best Actress Oscar Win
- The 2024 Oscars were worse than bad. They were boring.
Recommendation
-
When does 'Dune: Prophecy' come out? Release date, cast, where to watch prequel series
-
Why Wes Anderson, Leonardo DiCaprio and More Stars Were MIA From the Oscars
-
Surreal April 2024 total solar eclipse renews debunked flat Earth conspiracy theories
-
Who has the most Oscars of all time? Academy Awards records that made history
-
Mike Tyson is expected to honor late daughter during Jake Paul fight. Here's how.
-
Justin Theroux and Nicole Brydon Bloom Confirm Romance With Vanity Fair Oscar Party Date
-
Israel-Hamas conflict reaches Oscars red carpet as Hollywood stars wear red pins in support of cease-fire
-
Kylie Jenner Stuns in New Sam Edelman Campaign: An Exclusive Behind the Scenes Look