In the sweltering streets of Tapachula, Mexico, thousands of migrants from Venezuela and other countries are caught in a dire situation, lacking the resources or documentation to return home, or the ability to move onward. Keila Mendoza, a mother with two children, initially fled Venezuela eight years ago with hopes of reaching the United States via Colombia. However, her dreams, like those of many others, have turned into a struggle for survival in southern Mexico.

Currently, at least 3,000 Venezuelans wait anxiously in Tapachula, a city once bustling with hopeful travelers. Today, they gather under the harsh sun pleading for assistance to return to Venezuela. Previously a hub for migrants embarking on their journey north, the city has become eerily quiet, with many shelters now empty and the parks that once buzzed with life now void of families.

The once vibrant crossing point along the Suchiate River has changed dramatically; migrants now seek routes back to Guatemala, or further to their homeland, rather than crossing into Mexico. Disheartened and desperate, these individuals find themselves retracing their steps, whether by bus, on foot, or even by swimming back across the river. The glimmer of hope for many has dimmed significantly as they navigate this bleak and complex landscape, trapped between two borders.