Confrontation in Culiacán leaves two detained and a minor injured

Operation in Soledad of Graciano Sánchez

The Federal Attorney General’s Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa) and the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) carried out a search of a property in the municipality of Soledad de Graciano Sánchez, San Luis Potosí. During the investigation, they seized five live specimens of wildlife and four pieces of taxidermy.

Animals found include:

• Two African lions: a one-year-old male and a six-year-old female.
• A six-year-old male jaguar.
• A Bengal tiger.
• A one-year-old female coyote.

All of them appeared to be in good health, according to Profepa.

In addition, three full-body taxidermies were located: a Barbary goat, two black bears and a tanned black bear skin. The pieces remained under the protection of Profepa.

The live specimens were transferred to specialized centers: the jaguar and the coyote to San Luis Potosí; the lions to Nuevo León; and the Bengal tiger to Hidalgo.

The FGR began an investigation folder for the crime against biodiversity, typified in article 420 of the Federal Penal Code. Profepa collaborates in the investigations. It should be noted that the jaguar is listed as an endangered species, while the jaguar and the Bengal tiger appear in Appendix I of CITES; the African lion is in Appendix II.

A judge from the Reclusorio Norte withdrew the justified preventive detention of Jesús Murillo Karam, former attorney general of the Republic, who since 2024 had been under house arrest in Lomas de Chapultepec for the Ayotzinapa case. The decision was made after more than two years without his trial reaching a sentence.

The journalist Miriam Moreno, in the program “Por la Mañana” by Ciro Gómez Leyva, explained that the defense argued delays beyond the control of the accused: vacations, changes in the justice system and the judicial election.

Hearing details

“A hearing was held that lasted around 30 hours. It began on Wednesday afternoon and ended yesterday. The defense told the judge that the circumstances under which the preventive detention was determined have changed. More than two years have passed where, for reasons beyond his control, the process has been delayed,” Moreno said.

The withdrawal of the measure does not imply total freedom. Murillo Karam remains subject to other precautionary measures:

• Carry an electronic locator (already had it).
• Domiciliary restriction, with departures only for medical emergencies.
• Prohibition of leaving Mexico City and the country.

In addition, he faces another criminal case in the South Prison, where he also has justified preventive detention. Therefore, the measure only applies to the Northern process.

The defense highlighted that the former attorney, detained in 2022, had requested a change of arrest due to deterioration in his health. Now, with the new resolution, you will be able to leave your home for medical emergencies without needing court permission each time.

Sheinbaum: local security is the responsibility of states and municipalities

During her morning conference in Cuernavaca, President Claudia Sheinbaum was questioned about municipalities in Morelos where only four police officers serve the entire population. His response was direct: governors and municipal presidents must assume their part.

“Even with the entire National Guard, the governors have the responsibility of strengthening the state police. We need trained, trained, clean police,” he responded.

Sheinbaum recalled that municipal autonomy is in the 1917 Constitution. The federal government has strengthened the National Guard – today with 120 thousand elements and plans to add 10 thousand – but it cannot replace the local police forces.

“There are municipalities with excellent police officers. Others do not have enough resources, but even with the few they have, they must guarantee that they are clean and do local work,” he explained.

Regarding the arrest of mayors in Morelos – such as Jesús Corona Damián (Cuautla) and Agustín Toledano Amaro (Atlatlahucan) within the framework of Operation Enjambre -, Sheinbaum indicated that they only intervene when there are complaints and evidence.

“We cannot investigate all the municipal presidents. Where there is a citizen complaint or evidence, investigation files are opened and we proceed with a judge’s order,” he said.

Governor Margarita González Saravia reported that the seventh regional security meeting was held with Querétaro, Hidalgo, the State of Mexico, Mexico City, Puebla and Guerrero. He highlighted the coordination between the Ministry of Defense, the National Guard, prosecutors and security secretaries.

“A strategy is made for crime. This has allowed us to lower crime rates and achieve important arrests, such as car theft, following up on gangs that operate in several states,” he mentioned.

The president reiterated that her government works at all levels: municipal, state and federal, but without replacing local responsibilities.