2019 in Review: massacres, bloodshed, and corruption in Mexico

In 2019 , Mexico went through a huge political change after it elected leftist leader Andrés Manuel López Obrador as President , who has implemented austerity policies, vowed to eradicate corruption , and implemented a series of welfare programs for students, the elderly, and the disabled. Nevertheless, the country has also witnessed a series of political scandals , violent crimes , shootings , diplomatic gaffes , and other incidents .

These were the five stories that shocked Mexico and the world:

5. Rosario Robles & The Master Fraud

, a veteran politician and government official who led two ministries during the Peña Nieto administration , was accused of being part of a massive fraud that involved public universities and government departments. She is facing her trial while in jail .

Contract signed by Rosario Robles caused a $60 million property damage

4. Emilio Lozoya: Money laundering, bribery, and fraud

The former Pemex director was banned from working in the government in the future, several arrest warrants against him and his family were issued and then blocked, and he fled Mexico after being accused of money laundering , fraud , bribery , and criminal association .

Former Pemex director is accused of money laundering, fraud, and bribery

Although Lozoya is wanted by Mexican authorities and the Interpol , he managed by fleeing the country. In contrast, his mother Gilda Margarita Austin was arrested in Germany and was recently extradited to Mexico, where she will face trial.

3. Ovidio Guzmán & the Culiacán bloodshed

On October 17, gunmen from the Sinaloa Cartel stormed Culiacán and turned the city into a war zone by staging shootings , threatening civilians, blocking roads, and taking hostages. The bloody encounter took place after Mexican authorities briefly arrested Ovidio Guzmán , the son of drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán .

Mexico: The Culiacán bloodshed explained

The operation was criticized and questioned after it was revealed that authorities released Ovidio Guzmán from custody to prevent a massacre and especially after President López Obrado r said he backed the decision.

2. Genaro García Luna & Sinaloa Cartel

On December 10, the former Security Minister was arrested in the U.S. after being accused of receiving millions from the Sinaloa Cartel .

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García Luna

served during Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderón ’s administrations and is accused of collaborating with the Sinaloa Cartel to transport marijuana and cocaine to the U.S. His trial will take place in New York , at the same court where “El Chapo” Guzmán was sentenced to life in prison.

In recent days, Mexican authorities have revealed that during the previous administration, several government departments transferred millions to bank accounts linked to García Luna and his companies.

1. The LeBarón massacre

On November 4, three women and six children from the LeBarón family , a breakaway Mormon community that settled in Mexico over 100 years ago after polygamy was banned in the U.S., were ambushed and massacred by alleged cartel members in the border between Sonora and Chihuahua .

Mormon family ambushed and massacred in Mexico

The tragic event struck Mexican society after it was revealed that the gunmen killed the mother and their children in cold blood. After the massacre, the LeBarón community has raised its voice to demand justice . The FBI is involved in the investigations and the incident prompted President Donald Trump to try to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations but after much criticism, he agreed no to.

Almost two months after the heinous crime , several cartel gunmen and a police chief have been arrested.

Nevertheless, Mexico also has a lot to celebrate. Gymnast Alexa Moreno and the national baseball team are headed to Tokyo 2020 ; Mexico launched a nanosatellite ; the best female chef in the world is Mexican chef Daniela Soto-Innes ; Yalitza Aparicio was nominated for an Oscar and named as a UNESCO goodwill ambassador , and tacos were named the world’s favorite dish.

The 5 most-read stories of 2019

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