In a morning conference held on June 16, Secretary of the Interior Rosa Icela Rodríguez addressed the alarming recent murders of the municipal president of San Mateo Piñas, Oaxaca , and Federal Judge Everardo Maya Arias .
In response to questions from the press, the official acknowledged the seriousness of these incidents and confirmed that both cases were discussed in the security cabinet meeting that took place that very morning.
“Indeed, these regrettable incidents occurred, and they were addressed in the security cabinet that just concluded; there were reports from the Secretary of Security and other agencies,” she stated.
Rodríguez assured that the government would closely monitor both cases, with investigations continuing under the jurisdiction of state prosecutors or the Federal Attorney General’s Office , as applicable.
“We will be closely following the incidents that occurred in these locations, and investigations will be handled by the respective state prosecutors or the Federal Attorney General’s Office, depending on the case, to identify those responsible,” she emphasized.
The municipal president of San Mateo Piñas was murdered on June 15 within the premises of her office. The attack was carried out by two armed men, who also shot the municipal sindico and left two local police officers injured.
The incident is currently under investigation by the State Attorney General’s Office of Oaxaca, with a security operation deployed in cooperation with SEDENA , SEMAR , and SSPC .
Soto was previously accused of allegations of corruption , such as selling municipal assets without consulting the community. In 2021, she reported the disappearance of 50 million pesos allocated for rehabilitation following the devastation caused by Hurricane Agatha.
Federal Judge Everardo Maya Arias , known for his involvement in high-profile cases like Ayotzinapa and Ovidio Guzmán , was found dead on June 15 in Zinacantepec, State of Mexico . His body was discovered inside a truck with a gunshot wound to the head and a firearm beside him. Authorities have yet to clarify whether it was a suicide or homicide , thus all investigative avenues remain open.
Maya Arias was assigned to the Third District Court for Amparo and Federal Trials in Toluca and was nearing retirement. His death was verified and mourned by the Federal Judiciary Council .
Throughout his career, the judge faced criticism for certain rulings, including the amparo granted to José Luis Abarca , the former mayor of Iguala linked to the disappearance of the 43 Ayotzinapa students, and the provisional suspension granted to Ovidio Guzmán López , son of “ El Chapo .” At times, he was denounced by the federal government as part of an alleged judicial network favoring serious crime defendants, a claim he categorically denied.
The increasing violence affecting public figures, especially at the local level, symbolizes a concerning trend in Mexico . Calls for stronger measures to ensure the safety of public officials and judicial authorities are more pressing than ever.
In conclusion, the recent murders of the municipal president of San Mateo Piñas and Federal Judge Everardo Maya Arias raise serious concerns about violence in Mexico. The government’s response, while promising thorough investigations, highlights the persistent risks faced by public officials. This situation calls for comprehensive strategies to address the underlying causes of violence and enhance security measures to protect those who serve in public office.
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