Ayotzinapa Case Remains Open / Government Seizes Weapons

Ayotzinapa Case. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated that the Ayotzinapa case remains open and assured that it will never be closed. "We are not going to close the case. I am committed to the truth being known," he added.

In 2014, during former President Enrique Peña Nieto’s administration, 43 students disappeared in Iguala, Guerrero. The government reported they were murdered by the United Warriors Cartel in Cocula. However, information showed that the Iguala police and army handed over the students to the criminal group. The Truth Commission of the Ayotzinapa case reported that there was an infiltrated soldier among the students, but Former Army General Salvador Cienfuegos assured that the army was not involved. 

Arms Trafficking. Minister of Defense, General Luis Cresencio Sandoval, reported that under the administration of President López Obrador, a total of 47,996 weapons have been confiscated. The majority of the seized firearms came from the United States, followed by Brazil, Georgia, Romania, Austria, and Italy.

On Aug. 4, 2022, the Mexican government announced it was suing six US manufacturers: Smith & Wesson, Barrett Firearms, Colt’s Manufacturing Company, Glock, Century International Arms, and Ruger, for promoting access to high-powered weapons without strict regulations. According to the lawsuit, over 500,000 firearms cross illegally from the United States to Mexico every year and more than 68% come from these companies. The government explained that the lack of regulation contributes to the illegal trafficking of arms to Mexico. In 2019, weapons trafficked into Mexico were responsible for 17,000 murders, say authorities. Furthermore, the estimated damage to the economy caused by violence is around 1.7% of Mexico’s GDP.

Aid for Guerrero. Minister of Welfare, Ariadna Montiel, announced that MX$314 million (US$18.4 million) have been given to 152 hotels, 231 restaurants, 654 tourism service providers and 1,037 businesses.

Hurricane Otis hit Mexico in October as a Category 5 hurricane, only 12 hours after being labeled a tropical storm. Guerrero was hit by winds between 130km/h and 150km/h, and waves up to 5m. To date there are 50 casualties and 30 missing persons in Guerrero. Hurricane Otis destroyed about 273,844 homes, 600 hotels/condos, and 120 hospitals/clinics. López Obrador expects to rebuild Acapulco in less than two years. However, Francisco Solares, President, Mexican Chamber of the Construction Industry (CMIC), said that the reconstruction of Acapulco will require at least five years. The government recently announced that MX$61.31 billion will be invested in the reconstruction of Guerrero.