Too Early to Close the Ayotzinapa Case: | Washington Office on Latin America

Too Early to Close the Ayotzinapa Case: | Washington Office on Latin America.

General Prosecutor and Corporate Interests Discredit the Families of the disappeared students of #Ayotzinapa

Briefing note 22 January 2015

In an attempt to discredit the movement supporting the parents of the disappeared students from Ayotzinapa, the Mexican federal government as well as corporate interests have shifted their attention away from organized crime onto so called violent groups. Blocking streets and highways as well as other forms as non-violent peaceful demonstrations are seen by the federal government as violent actions.

In addition, the Association of Hotels and Motels of Acapulco has also claimed that protesters are destroying the economy of Guerrero. It is interesting that this Association was not outspoken about the effects of drug-related violence on their business in the past. Even more shockingly, the founder of the large Mexican multinational Grupo Bimbo declared that the disappearance of the 43 students is now being blown out of proportion and that families should move on with their lives.

In the meantime, General Prosecutor, Murillo Karam, has broken a disclosure agreement with the families of Ayotzinapa’s as well as attempting to close the case. The Prosecutor’s Office had an agreement with the families to inform the parents of any forensic results before any public announcements were made. This was not done as parents of the victims knew about the forensic results from the University of Innsbruck in Austria after Murillo Karam openly discussed this information in a press conference. In addition, Murillo Karam has further hinted at the possibility of closing the case soon based on the testimonies of arrested suspects.