Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP91628)
Jhonnatan Atencio Pulgarin, a 32-year-old Venezuelan national, went missing on April 15, 2022, near Eagle Pass, Texas. Atencio Pulgarin was attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border via the Rio Grande along with his younger brother, Gustavo. According to reports, their inflatable raft was punctured by border patrol agents, forcing them to jump into the water. The brothers were separated in the chaotic situation. Gustavo managed to reach U.S.
soil but Jhonnatan did not resurface after entering the river.
His wife, who remains in Venezuela, has publicly appealed to both U.S. and Mexican authorities to intensify search efforts in the Rio Bravo (Rio Grande) area, particularly around Piedras Negras, Mexico, where Jhonnatan was last seen. She described him as wearing jeans, without a shirt, and barefoot at the time of his disappearance. Despite her appeals and her strong belief that he may still be alive, no significant developments have been made in the case since then.
Atencio Pulgarin’s case has drawn attention to the dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the border through such treacherous routes, often risking their lives to reach safety or better opportunities in the United States.Last Seen: Apr 15, 2022
