Mexico arrests ex-attorney general in case of 43 missing students, who disappeared in 2014
USA TodayOct 19, 2022
Mexico: 4 Military Members Arrested Over Missing Students Case
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Image copyright: Reuters [via Al Jazeera]
The Facts
The Mexican government on Thursday announced it had arrested a retired general - reportedly Brigadier General José Rodríguez Pérez - and three other military members in connection with the 2014 disappearance of 43 students in southern Mexico.
The news comes after a truth commission last month faulted military personnel for the disappearance, with Undersecretary of the Interior Alejandro Encinas saying six of the students were "held for several days" before allegedly being given to Pérez.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
The truth commission isn't a constitutional institution and Encinas is no prosecutor to investigate someone. On top of being completely illegitimate, it's recycling a "state crime" accusation already dismissed by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. This is part of Pres. López Obrador's political proxy war against his rival, former Pres. Peña Nieto.
Pro-establishment narrative
With Jesús Murillo Karam having already been indicted, there's no reason Pérez shouldn't face similar charges. We know this was a state-sponsored crime, and with officers like Pérez in custody, it's finally time to try these men and give justice to the victims and their families.
Cynical narrative
Even if this is positive news for the families of the victims in their pursuit for justice, these latest developments don't mean anyone will actually be punished for the tragic murders of those 43 students. Due to Mexico's inefficient judicial system, this will likely become a long-lasting legal battle with no one held accountable in the end.
