by Michael Yoakum
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America
MEXICO CITY, Mexico – Mexican authorities have arrested a total of 18 people in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 12 young men and women from the Heaven after-hours bar late last May. Arrests made Tuesday brought the number of Mexico City police officers implicated in these crimes to four.
The 12 youths went missing from the after-hours bar in the Zona Rosa district of Mexico City on May 26. Their bodies were discovered in a mass grave in August, where evidence implicated a local gang in the murders.
However, on September 19, prosecutors arrested Edgar Ernesto Gutierrez Vera, a patrolman from the Zona Rosa district, for “active and direct participation” in the mass kidnapping and murder. Authorities had been looking into Gutierrez Vera on suspicions of protecting the gang implicated in the mass killings, which eventually led prosecutors to evidence of police involvement in the crimes.
Security Chief Jesus Rodriguez Almeida said the arrests of his four officers reflected poorly on Zona Rosa police department’s reputation, a force that had one of the better reputations in a city rife with allegations of police corruption. Almeida said all four officers had passed department vetting processes but refused to comment on specific procedures for security reasons.
Mexican authorities investigating the four officers still urge that the kidnappings were likely the result of clashes between rival drug cartels, asserting that the 12 youths were linked by involvement in drug trafficking.
Ricardo Martinez, attorney for the victims’ families, believes there to be elements to truth on both sides. “There are both criminals and public servants involved,” Martinez said.
That the Heaven kidnappings occurred in Zona Rosa, widely regarded as a safe district, and not in a border town, has shaken beliefs that the area is safe from drug related crimes. The kidnappings occurred in broad daylight and just a block from the US embassy.
For more information, please see:
BBC News – Mexico Heaven bar murders: Three police officers arrested – 24 September 2013
CNN – Fourth officer arrested in Mexico mass kidnapping case – 25 September 2013
ABC News – 4th Mexico City Officer Arrested in Bar Kidnapping – 24 September 2013
Fox News – Alleged involvement of police in mass kidnap, killing of 12 a blow for Mexico City’s image – 25 September 2013
Latin Times – Three More Police Officers Arrested In Connection With Mexico Heaven Bar Kidnapping And Murders – 24 September 2013
