: Migrants face extreme environmental hazards, including dehydration, exhaustion, and violence from both smugglers and authorities in militarized border zones.
: In Mexican and indigenous folklore, the coyote is a trickster—cunning and capable of outsmarting others to survive. This symbolism carries over into the smuggling world, where the "coyote" is seen as a necessary but often dangerous guide. Coyotaje
: While some data suggests smuggling and drug trafficking are separate businesses, a significant percentage of smugglers are either forced into or voluntarily work for organized crime , which can lead to the kidnapping and exploitation of migrants. : While some data suggests smuggling and drug
: Researchers describe coyotaje as taking place in "liminal spaces"—geographical and legal gray areas where traditional documentation is difficult and the outcome of a journey can swing between success and tragedy. Risks and Safety Coyotaje operates as a complex network that has
The practice is deeply embedded in the borderlands, carrying significant cultural and literary weight.
Coyotaje operates as a complex network that has evolved from small-scale local arrangements into a multi-layered, technologically savvy business.