Mexico confirms that Guatemalan migrant died at a military checkpoint

In this file photo, a member of the Mexican Navy stands guard on a highway in the state of Mexico, near the capital Toluca, on January 29, 2013. (Credit: Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP / Getty Images)

(CNN Spanish) -

Authorities in Mexico confirmed on Tuesday that the death of Guatemalan migrant Elvin Mazariegos Pérez was caused by shots fired by military personnel at a checkpoint near the border between the two countries.

The events occurred this Monday afternoon in the municipality of Motozintla, Chiapas, when a vehicle in which Mazariegos Pérez was traveling with two other people tried to avoid a military checkpoint, who opened fire on the car.

According to General Luis Cresencio Sandoval González, Secretary of National Defense, it was a “wrong reaction” since there was no aggression by the occupants of the car.

Sandoval González, who appeared at the usual press conference of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, stated that the military man who fired the shots was placed at the disposal of the federal Public Ministry for the pertinent proceedings.

CNN has not been able to find out if the soldier has a lawyer.

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The Guatemalan Foreign Minister demanded that Mexico "do justice"

The general also reported that, after the shooting, several vehicles that were transporting a group of approximately 300 people, including residents of the municipality and Guatemalan nationals, attacked the personnel with sticks and stones demanding justice.

According to the Secretary of Defense, at first the civilians managed to retain 15 soldiers.

They also seized three official vehicles and 17 firearms.

After mediation by a military envoy, the rebels agreed to release 9 soldiers.

The rest of the military were released and the weapons and vehicles were recovered when a subsequent agreement for economic reparation was concluded and the promise that the alleged perpetrator would be subjected to a judicial process.

Through his Twitter account, the Guatemalan Foreign Minister, Pedro Brolo, demanded that Mexico clarify the incident "so that justice is done and these reprehensible events will not be repeated."

The chancellor reported that consular officials went to the area to monitor the situation.

Guatemala