As covered in last week’s blog, the disappearance of 43 students in Iguala, Mexico at the end of September has led to large demonstrations, discoveries of a total of 19 mass graves in the area and a fugitive mayor and wife. As the case unravels, there seems to be more questions than answers. Earlier this week, forensic evidence determined that the DNA of 28 bodies found in the first 3 mass graves did not match that of the missing students. Since this discovery, an additional six more graves have been found; though two of them were empty. The bodies in these new graves have not yet been identified. Although the whereabouts of the students has not yet been discovered, the 19 mass graves demonstrates the high level of organized crime that dominates the region. This image of a dangerous and criminal region has been furthered by new reports of the activities of the major of Iguala. The mayor of Iguala, Jose Luis Abarca, and his wife Maria de los Angeles Pineada, are wanted for questioning but they have not been seen since the mayor resigned a few short days after the initial event. Since their disappearance, the international community has learned of their nefarious ties to the local drug business. In a video released by the mayor’s mother-in-law, she states that Abarca was on the drug cartels pay roll receiving nearly $155,000 a month. Abarca was also accused of killing a political rival last year. What is known is that the students were last seen being carted away by local police who then later confessed to turning over the students to local drug traffickers. Meanwhile, students and families around the country continue to protest the disappearance of these students, demand their safe return and transparency in the investigation. Hundreds of people protested all over the country with the largest demonstrations taking place in schools in Mexico City. The National Autonomous University suspended classes for two days in solidarity of the students.
BBC
New graves found in Mexico in hunt for missing students
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-29649753
NPR
43 Missing Students, 1 Missing Mayor: Of Crime And Collusion In Mexico
By Carrie Kahn
6 More Graves Found Near Mexican Town Where 43 Students Vanished
By Carrie Kahn
El Pais
Crece el misterio sobre los estudiantes desaparecidos
http://www.elpais.com.uy/mundo/crece-misterio-estudiantes-desaparecidos.html
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