Chiapas, once haven for Guatemalans fleeing genocide, sees citizens crossing border to escape tyranny of crime groups

The Mexican state of Chiapas was once a haven for Guatemalans fleeing genocide at home, but this historical relationship has recently flipped, with hundreds of Mexicans crossing the border to escape the violent tyranny of organised crime groups.

Entire communities emptied out last week as more than 500 men, women, children and the elderly fled with what they could carry and walked across the border, citing food shortages and the conflicts between criminal groups pressing in ever closer on their homes.

One refugee, a 93-year-old woman, died shortly after arriving in Guatemala.

Guatemalan authorities have issued the refugees temporary humanitarian visas while the two governments work to bring them back to Mexico.