Chiapas Research Articles

Achievements and Challenges in the Development of a Nurse-Led Respectful Delivery Care Model Provided by Partners in Health in Rural Mexico.

The model of obstetric care predominant in Mexico in most public and private healthcare institutions is particularly focused on a physiological perspective of the female body that does not respond to women's need for emotional comfort and satisfaction. In the last decade, however, various initiatives that provide obstetric care centered on women's rights have emerged. To analyze the implementation of a model of humanized/respectful delivery care supervised by nursing and midwifery undergraduate interns in a birthing center in the state of Chiapas, in order to identify achievements and future challenges. We used information from secondary sources and carried out a descriptive analysis. Births attended at the birthing center increased in relation to all the births registered in the Angel Albino Corzo municipality between 2017 and 2022. Positive indicators of respectful care increased with the implemented model, while negative indicators decreased. Between 2016 and 2022, obstetric nurses attended more than 1500 births without maternal deaths and managed some emergency cases referred to specialized care. This case illustrates the potential of alternative models of obstetric care. Evidence-based, midwife- and nurse-led models of clinical obstetric care should be expanded in the Mexican healthcare system.

Outbreak of Chikungunya Fever in the Central Valley of Chiapas, Mexico.

The first ever recorded outbreak of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in the highlands (central valley of Chiapas) Mexico took place in 2015. Clinical data from 80 infected patients together with information provided from virus isolates offered a vision of the diseased and their response linked to different variables such as age, gender, association with pre-existing diseases of some patients, including CHIKF-DENF co-infection. The origins of the Tuxtla Gutierrez CHIKV viruses isolated in the study, including other Mexican isolates, were traced to viruses circulating in regions of Asia in Micronesia and Philippines. Also, we call the attention of the influx of migrants coming from countries having current explosive outbreaks of CHIKV and DENV in the Americas and into southern Mexico. Further we discuss vulnerabilities and point out specially to the geographic location of Chiapas State and its strategic position for attracting the human migrant population.

Estado de excepción neoliberal y resistencia en el sureste de México

In November 2021, the President of Mexico (2018-2024) declared that the priority megaprojects of the National Development Plan (Maya Train, Isthmus of Tehuantepec Interoceanic Corridor, Dos Bocas Refinery) fall within the realm of national security. Public and private investments in these projects are directed towards southeastern Mexico, covering the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Campeche, Yucatán, and Tabasco. These regions are home to indigenous peoples and communities that hold 45% of Mexico’s total social property. In some cases, these communities are visibly linked to national political organizations that defend land and territory. The decree is considered a state of exception applied to land-territory use, with dual implications. On one hand, it represents the undivided social field monopolized by monetary metrics. On the other hand, it signifies the expansion of a neocolonial condition promoted by the Mexican federal government, which marginalizes the voice of resistance in favor of adopting the capital logic defined by the stratification of the global economy. The methodology involves participatory action research since 2019, collaborative research through the coordination of workshops, caravans, marches, and political-community meetings, promoted in conjunction with assemblies fighting for territorial defense. We anticipate the increased use of such state of exception in response to the intertwined rise of health, environmental, and economic contingencies that drive the economic cycle, coupled with ineffective governmental policies formulated for regular times. In other words, the state of exception is activated to ensure the continuity of capital accumulation driven by the concentration of private property.

FIRST RECORDS OF AEDES TORMENTOR AND CULEX PANOCOSSA AS A RESULT OF VECTOR SURVEILLANCE ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED DURING THE CHARACTERIZATION OF FOCI OF EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS IN TAMAULIPAS, MEXICO.

We report the 1st records of Aedes tormentor and Culex panocossa throughout vector surveillance events carried out in putative foci of eastern equine encephalitis in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Formerly, Ae. tormentor had been reported in, at least, 2 Central American countries and Mexico. In Mexico, reports were from the states of Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, and Veracruz. Records of Ae. tormentor in these 4 Neotropical states were recently reviewed and eliminated; thus, the southernmost geographic distribution for this species is considered to be the state of Tamaulipas Mexico in its neotropical zone. Further, Cx. panocossa had been collected in Guerrero, Tabasco, and Veracruz. In Tamaulipas, there are 82 species of mosquitoes, being the 4th state accounting for the highest mosquito species diversity of 11 states in which comprehensive studies have been conducted on the subject of mosquito distribution.

The family Angelidae (Insecta, Mantodea) in Mexico and Central America, new records and two new synonyms

The stick-like mantis Angela miranda Saussure, 1871 (Mantodea, Angelidae) is newly recorded for the state of Chiapas in Mexico as well as for the department of Izabal in Guatemala, and the female is newly described. A re-examination of material from the Colección Nacional de Insectos (CNIN) of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) labeled as Angela miranda and recorded from Tabasco, Mexico, was conducted, revealing that they were misidentified, belonging instead to the genus Phasmomantis Saussure, 1869 (Mantidae: Stagmomantinae). Finally, Angela perpulchra Westwood, 1889 and Angela championi Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 are hereby relegated as junior synonyms of Angela miranda.

El Chichón volcanic activity before and after the Mw8.2, 2017, Chiapas earthquake, México. Is El Chichón ready to erupt?

El Chichón volcano is the most active volcano in the state of Chiapas, México, and experienced its last Plinian eruption (VEI = 5) in 1982. To better assess its volcanic hazard, we studied its readiness to erupt by estimating changes in its internal stress state. These stress changes are difficult to calculate accurately, for example in the absence of focal mechanisms, but their existence can be indirectly revealed by the presence of volcano-tectonic earthquakes, for example following a large tectonic earthquake. We show that the seismic rate recorded at El Chichón volcano increased slightly after the large Mw8.2 Tehuantepec earthquake of 8 September 2017, Chiapas. However, this rate quickly returned to its background level after only 2 months, without any external volcanic manifestations, suggesting that the volcano is not ready to erupt in the near future. Previous observations of slight increases in the volcanic seismicity rate following large earthquakes have been explained by the presence of active hydrothermal systems in the vicinity of the volcano. We propose a similar explanation for El Chichón volcano which is known for its large hydrothermal system. Furthermore, the characteristics of the 2017 seismicity (spatial and magnitude distributions), and the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio also confirm the presence of high amounts of water near the volcano. We show that the 2017 volcano-tectonic seismicity is of hydrothermal rather than magmatic origin, in agreement with recent independent geochemical and aeromagnetic studies.

TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION TRENDS DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE HUIXTLA RIVER BASIN IN CHIAPAS, MEXICO

The objective of this work was to analyze whether there is a trend in climate change in the Huixtla River basin on the Mexican Pacific coast in the State of Chiapas. To detect this, temperature and precipitation trends were analyzed using data for the 1960–2014 period and the 27 indices proposed by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI) at Despoblado, Escuintla, Finca Chicharras, Huehuetán, Huixtla, and Motozintla weather stations of the National Meteorological Service (SMN). Missing data were collected where necessary for precipitation using the U.S. National Wheater Service method and for temperatures using the Climate Engine platform. The indices were obtained with RClimDex by conducting the proposed data quality controls and classified on the basis of their statistical significance (0.05) and their increasing or decreasing trend. Among the changes found, higher temperatures were detected in the middle and lower western parts of the basin (TX90p), as well as a longer period of hot days (WSDI). The upper and lower eastern parts of the basin presented a shorter period of hot days. The upper and lower parts of the basin showed a cooling trend, with colder days (TX10p) over longer periods (CSDI). Across the basin, precipitation has increased by one and five days (RX1day and RX5day) as well as in total amount (PRCPTOT). In general, there were shorter dry periods (CDD) and longer wet periods (CWD). Rainfall above the R5mm, R10mm, R20mm, R70mm, and R150mm thresholds across the basin showed an increasing trend.

Therapeutic itineraries of snakebite victims and antivenom access in southern Mexico.

Access to antivenoms in cases of snakebite continues to be an important public health issue around the world, especially in rural areas with poorly developed health care systems. This study aims to evaluate therapeutic itineraries and antivenom accessibility following snakebites in the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas in southern Mexico. Employing an intercultural health approach that seeks to understand and bridge allopathic and traditional medical perceptions and practices, we conducted field interviews with 47 snakebite victims, documenting the therapeutic itineraries of 54 separate snakebite incidents that occurred between 1977 and 2023. Most victims used traditional remedies as a first line of treatment, often to withstand the rigors of a long journey to find antivenoms. The main obstacles to antivenom access were distance, poor antivenom availability, and cost. Standard antivenom treatment is highly valued and sought after, even as traditional beliefs and practices persist within a cultural framework known as the "hot-cold" system. The findings are crucial for informing future enhancements to antivenom distribution systems, health education initiatives, and other interventions aimed at mitigating the impact of snakebites in the region.

POST-HARVEST PRACTICES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPECIALTY COFFEES IN CHIAPAS, MEXICO

When it comes to specialty or high-quality coffees, sensory qualities are crucial because coffee marketers use samples to assess bean and cup quality, which is then used to create a score based on the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) protocol. This score is then used to determine the purchase and price. This study provides a descriptive analysis of the processes developed during training for high-quality coffee production with three shade-grown organic coffee-producing organizations in the state of Chiapas. The goal was to improve harvest and post-harvest practices in order to increase the sensory quality of the coffee. Each training session used the washed, natural, and honey methods to process the coffee. Statistically significant differences were found in the different types of post-harvest processing for each organization. In the sensory analyses, washed coffees were classified as excellent (between 85 and 86 points). In general, the coffees obtained scored between 80 and 86 points, which, according to the SCA protocol, are classified as very good to excellent. The washed processes obtained the highest score; however, the natural and honey processes are a good alternative for producers who lack water during harvesting. Selective harvesting and monitoring of the fermentation processes help to increase the sensory quality of the coffee, improving its opportunity to access specialty markets in order to obtain better prices and greater stability in the medium term.

Infestation of Cattle with the Tick Amblyomma mixtum in the States with the Highest Cattle Inventory in Mexico

A Objective: The Amblyomma mixtum tick is one of the main parasites affecting cattle in Mexico. Epidemiological records of A. mixtum in leading states in the national cattle industry, such as Jalisco, Chiapas, Michoacán, Tabasco, and Veracruz, are outdated since this tick species was previously classified as A. cajennense. The objective was to update the records of the A. mixtum tick in the states of Jalisco, Chiapas, Michoacán, Tabasco, and Veracruz, as well as the main ixodicide molecules used for its control. Methodology: From March 2022 to July 2023, ticks were collected from cattle in 46 bovine production units (BPUs) distributed in the states mentioned above. Identification was performed using standardized taxonomic keys. Scanning electron microscopy was performed on specimens corresponding to A. mixtum. Results: Out of a total of 619 specimens of the genus Amblyomma from 22 PBUs, it was confirmed that 100% correspond to the species A. mixtum. Amitraz, an ixodicide molecule belonging to the chemical class of amidines, was used in 63.2% of the BPUs where the presence of A. mixtum was also reported. Conclusions: This research confirms cattle infestation with A. mixtum in states with the highest cattle production in Mexico. Further studies with a focus on resistance and extension are required to prolong the usefulness of available tools, including ixodicides, for integrated control of A. mixtum infestations where this tick infests cattle in Mexico.

Soil development and ancient Maya land use in the tropical karst landscape: Case of Busiljá, Chiapas, México

AbstractThe soil mantle of the tropical karstic landscapes of Southern Mexico was shaped by specific processes of pedogenesis and long‐term human impacts of ancient Maya agriculture. To understand the interaction between natural and human‐induced soil‐forming processes in the calcareous mountains of Chiapas state, we studied soil toposequences around the Classic Maya site of Budsilhá and related them to the archaeological evidence of settlement and land‐use distribution. Soil chemical analysis, micromorphological observations, and clay mineral identification were carried out in key soil profiles at the main geoforms. Limestone hills are occupied by shallow Rendolls which are usually perceived as incipient soils. However, high content of silicate clay composed of kaolinite and vermiculite and ferruginous clayey soil material observed at macro‐ and microscale backed the hypothesis that these soils were formed from the residues of thick Terra Rossa after their erosion. Swampy lowlands are occupied by thick clayey gleyic soils with clay mineral assemblages similar to those in the upland Rendolls. We suppose that the mineral matrix of the lowland soils is largely derived from the pedosediments of eroded upland Terra Rossa, which lost original ferruginous pigmentation and aggregation due to redoximorphic processes. Some wetland soils contain neoformed gypsum that is atypical for humid tropics; sulfide‐sulfate transformation under fluctuating redox conditions could promote gypsum synthesis. Ancient Maya land use was closely related to soil‐geomorphic conditions: settlements with homegardens occupied calcareous hills, whereas the primary agricultural domain was developed on lowland soils after their drainage by artificial canals.

Municipal-level estimates (2020) of adult obesity in Mexico drawn from a hierarchical Bayesian estimator

Since the beginning of the 21st Century obesity has become a major public health concern in Mexico. Survey data have been key to tracking the evolution of the national and regional prevalence of obesity over time. However, these data are insufficient for policymakers and researchers interested in obesity from a more local and spatial perspective. This paper uses two secondary data sources: the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2021 and the Mexican National Population Census 2020. This paper implements a Bayesian hierarchical approach to model survey and census data to produce municipal-level estimates for Mexico in 2020. The results indicate that obesity has inter and intra-regional variability. Obesity is more prevalent in the north and in the Yucatan peninsula and tends to be lower in the state of Chiapas. However, within these regions there is some degree of variability in obesity rates. The results provide a more detailed geographical picture of obesity across Mexico and raise the possibility of using the resulting estimates for further statistical and policy-relevant research.

NUTRITIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COCOA SOILS IN MEXICO

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Cocoa in Mexico is produced mainly in the states of Tabasco and Chiapas, where among other factors, agroecological characteristics of the region allow its cultivation. The limitation in the production of this crop is often due to the low fertility of the soil. However, only a few studies have characterized the physical and chemical properties of the soils where cocoa is produced. <strong>Objective:</strong> To characterize the physicochemical properties of the soil under cocoa plantations in Chiapas and Tabasco, Mexico. <strong>Methodology:</strong> One hundred and seven (107) soil samples distributed in different municipalities of the states of Chiapas and Tabasco were collected for the analysis of their physical and chemical properties. A multivariate analysis was performed to observe the distribution of the samples. Finally, they were grouped using a hierarchical cluster analysis to compare the grouping based on their physical and chemical properties. <strong>Results:</strong> The grouping of the soil samples was presented based on their origin rather than due to altitude or nutrient content. According to the hierarchical cluster analysis, three groups and eight subgroups were obtained. The pH between the subgroups ranged between 5.3 and 7.3. The IIIc subgroup of Tuxtla Chico and Cacahoatán (Chiapas) presented the most significant amount of organic matter. <strong>Implications:</strong> It was a challenge to explain the physical and chemical characteristics of 107 different soils; achieving correlations required a lot of statistical analysis. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> From the soils studied, it was possible to identify the nutritional ranges and group them according to location, finding that it is variable between the subgroups, however, despite the variability they managed to meet the nutrient requirements for cocoa cultivation.</p>

RESPUESTA AGRONÓMICA DEL FRIJOL (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) A LA APLICACIÓN DE BIOFERTILIZANTES PROVENIENTES DE RESIDUOS PECUARIOS EN CHIAPAS, MÉXICO

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Beans (<em>Phaseolus vulgaris</em> L.) are an integral part of the basic diet in Mexico and are one of the most important crops. Mexico is the seventh producer worldwide and one of the main consumers of it. Within Mexico, the state of Chiapas is the sixth-largest producer with 68,515 t per year, with a yield of 0.59 t ha<sup>-1</sup>. However, the excessive use of chemical fertilizer has degraded soil quality and increased production costs. <strong>Objective:</strong> To study the agronomic response of the bean crop treated with biofertilizers originated from livestock excreta through anaerobic digestion (effluents). <strong>Methodology:</strong> Variables plant growth variables seed germination, flowering, photosynthesis, and the presence of pathogens were compared. The treatment evaluated were soils treated with bovine manure (treatment 1) and swine manure (treatment 2) after anaerobic digestion, urea (treatment 3) as chemical fertilizer, and control without fertilizers (treatment 4). <strong>Results:</strong> In general, the use of biofertilizers improved the yield per plant, as well as accelerated the development of the plants compared to the control, which was attractive for the producers. In addition, the use of biofertilizers in the soil decreased the presence of pathogens and increased the microbial population, which can be beneficial in soil recovery. <strong>Implications:</strong> The cost of biofertilizer production was 13.5 USD for m<sup>3</sup>, which was cheaper than chemical fertilizers. However, a detailed analysis of the application costs of biofertilizers is recommended. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The practice of using livestock effluents (biofertilizer) is proposed as a complement to agroecological practices to improve agricultural production and recover soil fertility in southern Mexico. </p>

Techniques for Locating Facilities in Emergency Situations, Chiapas, Mexico

Disasters due to natural causes occur more frequently worldwide. In order to provide a solution to the problem of locating facilities for humanitarian aid, this research is based on the application of different models for locating facilities, such as weighted factors, the center of gravity, Break-even point, transport method, and p-median; to locate one or several feasible geographical spaces for the installation of a warehouse that allows the protection and supply of essential products to people affected by the impact of a natural phenomenon in the state of Chiapas, Mex. Under different factors and evaluation characteristics derived from the methods used, two municipalities are considered feasible venues. The first is within the municipality of El Parral, followed by the municipality of Emiliano Zapata. Their characterization of proximity to suppliers, level of marginalization, and services, to name a few, make them acceptable for the purpose above.

The carbon footprint of livestock farms under conventional management and silvopastoral systems in Jalisco, Chiapas, and Campeche (Mexico)

Livestock production is one of the most important agricultural sources of greenhouses gasses (GHG). Transforming the livestock sector is a critical task to mitigate the effects of climate change, and the implementation of silvopastoral systems (SPS) may be a way to do so. Carbon footprint (CF) estimation was carried out for 131 conventional livestock farms (CONF) and SPS farms (SPSF) selected in the states of Jalisco, Chiapas and Campeche (Mexico). GHG emissions were estimated based on interviews with the farmers and farm monitoring to collect information about management, milk production and the live weight gain (LWG) of calves (for meat production) using national emission factors. Emissions from animals, fossil fuels, electricity and nitrogen fertilizers were estimated using Tier I and II criteria. Land use distribution was recorded for each farm, and their carbon fixation in total biomass and soils was estimated using studies from tropical Latin America. CF was estimated for area and for production of milk and the LWG of calves. SPSF had lower GHG emissions, higher carbon fixation rates and a better CF than CONF (5.7 vs. 8.0 t CO2e/ha/year; 6.9 vs. 5.5 t C/ha/year and − 5.0 vs. −2.9 t CO2e/ha/year, respectively). The CF of milk production and calf LWG were − 68.6 to −4.6 kg CO2e/kg and − 3.2 to −0.1 t CO2e/kg, respectively. Our results highlight the importance of implementing SPS to mitigate climate change in livestock production, given its contribution to GHG emissions and the importance of capturing atmospheric carbon in biomass and soils. National and regional policies should focus on promoting implementing SPS as an active and effective strategy for improving CF in livestock farms.

Institutional arrangements in the promotion of sustainable livestock: an approach from the case of beef and dairy cattle production chains in Jalisco, Chiapas, and Campeche

This study focuses on a policy and practice review of existing institutional arrangements within the beef and dairy cattle production sectors in the Mexican states of Jalisco, Chiapas, and Campeche. Acknowledging the critical role of robust governance frameworks in transitioning towards sustainable livestock agriculture, a collaborative governance approach is employed to holistically address environmental and production challenges. This approach underscores the importance of active participation, stakeholder collaboration, and contextual adaptation in decision-making processes. Classified as explanatory research, the study is grounded in a qualitative approach, covering a synchronous period from 2017 to 2022. Secondary sources such as public policies, international climate commitment reports, sector-specific reports, and databases were utilized to provide context and data regarding the analyzed institutional arrangements. Additionally, semi-structured information-gathering protocols were developed and, in conjunction with participant observation, administered to approximately 30 key stakeholders from public, private, academic, research centers, international cooperation, and civil society sectors involved in institutional arrangements in the aforementioned states. The findings highlight the significance of collaborative governance as a valuable alternative for addressing governance challenges in the livestock sector, particularly when hierarchical or market-oriented approaches are less effective. The diversity of identified institutional arrangements, ranging from hierarchical to polyarchic, emphasizes the need to acknowledge the specificities of the context in which they operate and adapt strategies accordingly. This analysis contributes to the growing discussion on sustainable livestock farming and the fundamental role of institutional arrangements in promoting responsible practices and mitigating environmental impacts. As demands for natural resources and environmental awareness increase, understanding and strengthening these arrangements become essential to balance livestock production and environmental conservation.

Integrated fire management in a tropical biosphere reserve: Achievements and challenges

Wildfires are among the most critical threats to tropical rainforests. In the Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve in the Mexican state of Chiapas, vast rainforest areas suffered destruction by fires in 1998 and 2003. However, there have been no more widespread fires, and previously burnt areas have been recovering. The present study analyses the integrated fire management processes implemented in the reserve. It includes 19 expert interviews and a survey applied to 274 inhabitants of local communities. It argues that the successful prevention of further adverse wildfire events is related to a fire management approach, which emphasizes cultural and physical fire prevention and incorporates strong participation by local communities. The communities have established internal agreements to mitigate wildfire risk. Thus, the reserve might serve as an example of how integrated and cultural fire management can be applied in practice. However, these achievements face challenges, mainly due to budget cuts, changing governmental priorities, and the crisis of the rule of law in Mexico. An event that particularly impacted fire management practices in the area in recent years was the implementation of the federal government's Sembrando Vida (“Planting Life”) program. First, it led to deforestation and the provocation of wildfires but afterwards it seems to have induced the abandonment of agricultural burning by a considerable percentage of local farmers.

Predicting the dispersal and invasion dynamics of ambrosia beetles through demographic reconstruction and process-explicit modeling.

Evaluating potential routes of invasion of pathogens and vectors of sanitary importance is essential for planning and decision-making at multiple scales. An effective tool are process-explicit models that allow coupling environmental, demographic and dispersal information to evaluate population growth and range dynamics as a function of the abiotic conditions in a region. In this work we simulate multiple dispersal/invasion routes in Mexico that could be taken by ambrosia beetles and a specific symbiont, Harringtonia lauricola, responsible for a severe epiphytic of Lauraceae in North America. We used Xyleborus bispinatus Eichhoff 1868 as a study subject and estimated its demography in the laboratory in a temperature gradient (17, 20, 26, 29, 35°C), which we then used to parameterize a process-based model to estimate its metapopulation dynamics. The maximum intrinsic growth rate of X. bispinatus is 0.13 with a thermal optimum of 26.2°C. The models suggest important regions for the establishment and dispersal the states of Veracruz, Chiapas and Oaxaca (high host and secondary vectors diversity), the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (connectivity region), and Michoacán and Jalisco (important avocado plantations). The use of hybridprocess-based models is a promising tool to refine the predictions applied to the study of biological invasions and species distributions.

Teaching spanish to migrants in the Soconusco region, Chiapas, Mexico

This research was conducted in the state of Chiapas, throughout the Soconusco region. Students from BA in English Language Teaching at UNACH (Universidad Autonoma de Chiapas) participated as teachers in basic Spanish courses for the migrant population, from January 2020 to April 2021. This paper aims to give an account of the partial results of a study; its main objective is to analyze the nature of teaching Spanish to migrants and people in mobility from different countries. Migratory movements are a phenomenon of special incidence in contemporary societies according to the Manifest of Santander (2009), one of the first works carried out in Spain in terms of language teaching to migrants and refugees. Given the need to incorporate the teaching of the target language into the global policies of care for immigrants, since their learning of the target language depends a lot on the active insertion in the host community (Manifest of Santander cited in Garcia et al. 2014). The Language school at the UNACH is a public educational institution with social responsibility that has collaborated with COMAR (Comisión Mexicana de Ayuda a Refugiados) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) seeking to protect the rights and welfare of refugees, migrants and people in mobility during their stay in Mexico. Thus, the Language School has carried out the implementation of teaching basic Spanish courses as a foreign language to refugees and migrants from countries such as Haiti, Surinam, the United States, Jamaica, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and Canada. However, due to the COVID-19 contingency, these courses were changed from face-to-face sessions to virtual mode during that period and after the contingency, the courses had been taught in face-to-face sessions again. In this sense, this research yields interesting contributions that can be taken into account for a significant teaching-learning process of Spanish as a foreign language or as a second language in the region of Soconusco answering the following research questions: What is the training of teachers who teach Spanish as a second language in the Soconusco region? What difficulties did they have while teaching Spanish as a second language? How effective were Spanish classes for migrants and refugees?