Mexico City, May 13 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Mexican authorities claim they rescued 57 Central American and Mexican migrants who were apparently kidnapped by organized crime groups in the eastern state of Tamaulipas, Prensa Latina news agency reported on Tuesday.

Government officials stated that the victims, 47 men and 10 women, were in the course of migrating illegally to the U.S. when they were taken hostage. Almost half had traveled from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, and the rest were from various states in Mexico. Several kidnappers were detained in the operation. Victims reported that their families had been contacted for a ransom payment.

Poverty and other economic factors are often central reasons for migration. Kidnapping of migrants in Mexico increased 800 percent between 2012 and 2014, according to a recent report by Mexico's national immigration institute. It is unclear what the fate of the migrants will be now that they are freed.