No impunity for ex-mayor's murder: Security coordinates investigation after 10 found dead in Zacatecas

Mexico's Security Cabinet has vowed "no impunity" following the murder of Ignacio Castrejón Valdez, the former mayor of Sombrerete, Zacatecas. Valdez was discovered with signs of violence alongside nine other deceased individuals. In response, a joint operation involving the Government of Zacatecas and the state's Attorney General's Office has been deployed to investigate the events and apprehend those responsible.

"The institutions of the Security Cabinet reiterate their commitment to collaborate with state authorities to clarify the facts and apprehend those responsible. There will be no impunity," the Cabinet stated. The discovery of the ten bodies occurred on Saturday, July 18, in the northern Zacatecas municipalities of Morelos, Pánuco, and Sain Alto. Authorities are continuing forensic work to identify the victims and conduct necessary ministerial inquiries.

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The institutions of the Security Cabinet reiterate their commitment to collaborate with state authorities to clarify the facts and apprehend those responsible. There will be no impunity.

Among the victims was Ignacio Castrejón Valdez, a former mayor from the National Action Party (PAN) who served from 2016 to 2018. He was also the founder of Grupo Cavi, a company specializing in construction and maintenance for mining firms. Preliminary reports suggest he was kidnapped before being found dead in Sain Alto.

Official information and initial reports indicate that five bodies were found on a vehicular bridge in the community of Pozo de Gamboa, Pánuco. Four more bodies were discovered in the municipality of Morelos, and the tenth victim, later identified as the former mayor, was found in Sain Alto. Following these discoveries, the Secretary General of Government of Zacatecas, Rodrigo Reyes Mugüerza, announced the deployment of a large security operation. The Operative Intelligence Group convened an extraordinary session to follow up on investigations and strengthen intelligence and coordination efforts among authorities.

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In the last few years, this type of incident has been significantly reduced in the entity, as a result of the coordination between security institutions. Therefore, an event of this nature demands an immediate and forceful response from the State.