Inmate dies due to detonation of handmade weapon in Reclusorio Oriente

An inmate dies after an unusual accident with a prohibited device inside the prison.

Fatal incident in prison due to improvised weapon

An inmate at the Orient Men’s Preventive Prison lost his life after the accidental detonation of a clandestinely manufactured device that he was carrying hidden among his clothes. The event occurred in the Galeras area, a transit area to the courtrooms, as confirmed by the Secretary of Citizen Security (SSC) through an official statement.

Security flaws under investigation

The agency detailed that the unconventional ballistic device – whose exact nature was not specified – was activated accidentally, causing fatal injuries to the individual. Immediately, the Public Ministry was notified to begin the forensic investigation and determine responsibilities. In parallel, the General Directorate of Internal Affairs of the SSC undertook a disciplinary review to identify possible negligence in the review protocols.

RelatedAn inmate escapes from the Oriente Preventive Prison in Mexico City

This incident reveals serious vulnerabilities in prison surveillance systems, particularly in the detection of metallic objects or electronic components used to assemble improvised devices. Prison security experts point out that such devices are usually assembled with parts of electronic devices, pipes or springs, which makes them difficult to identify in routine checks.

The SSC emphasized that it will apply administrative sanctions against officials who have committed omissions, in addition to reinforcing inspection mechanisms with body scanners and random reviews. Recent statistics indicate that incidents with unconventional weapons in Mexico City penitentiaries have increased by 17% since 2023, according to reports from the National Security Commission.

Context and subsequent measures

This case joins a series of violent events in Mexican prisons where knives, drugs and communication equipment have been seized. Analysts attribute the phenomenon to infiltration by criminal networks and corruption of custodians. As an immediate measure, the SSC announced the rotation of personnel at the Oriente Prison and specialized training in the detection of dangerous objects.

To delve deeper into this topic, consult our exclusive report on security strategies in maximum security prisons. Share this information on your social networks to keep your community informed about the challenges of the prison system.

Explore more related content: How do emergency protocols work in prisons? Find out in our analysis section.

INEHRM becomes a research and teaching center

The INEHRM is transformed into a research and teaching center under the new secretariat.

Transformation of the INEHRM

President Claudia Sheinbaum signed the decree that transfers the National Institute of Historical Studies of the Revolutions of Mexico (INEHRM) to the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation (SECIHTI). The institute becomes a decentralized public body with an academic focus.

Rosaura Ruiz Gutiérrez, head of SECIHTI, explained that the new scheme will train specialists in history to strengthen national capacities in social sciences and humanities.

Felipe Arturo Ávila Espinosa, director of the INEHRM, explained that the study plans will link historical knowledge with social, economic, political and cultural problems of the country, and will address the needs of the Federal Public Administration.

Hybrid educational offer

The offer will include bachelor’s degrees in History, Social Sciences and Humanities, and Public Administration and Good Government. In postgraduate studies, master’s degrees will be added in Mexican Humanism, Gender and Feminism Studies, and Social Movements and Rescue of Historical Memory. There will also be specialties in Political Communication and History Teaching.

Graduates will cover topics such as agrarianism, health, migration, artificial intelligence, violence and human rights.

Headquarters and call

The new headquarters will be at 80 Guatemala Street, Historic Center of Mexico City. The first admission call will be launched in July, and classes will begin in September.

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Prosecutor’s Office grants protection measures to victim of family violence

The Morelos Prosecutor's Office issued protection measures after a complaint of family violence against the former director of Pemex.

The Morelos Attorney General’s Office activated protection measures in favor of Felicia Jiménez Lavie, who filed a complaint for family violence against her husband, Víctor Rodríguez Padilla, former director of Pemex. This was reported by prosecutor Fernando Blumenkron Escobar.

The measures, the official explained, will be available when the victim requires them. The complaint was filed in Mexico City and the Women’s Secretariat of the Government of Mexico directly follows up on the case.

Investigation in progress

Until now, Jiménez Lavie has not gone to the local Public Ministry to contribute more elements to the investigation folder. This was initiated ex officio last Friday, June 26, after a video was broadcast with images of attacks against the woman.

Blumenkron assured that the portfolio continues its integration. “The proceedings have not stopped and we are going to continue to guarantee justice for the victim,” he said. In addition, he indicated that there is coordination with the Women’s Secretariat and the capital’s Prosecutor’s Office, under the care route for victims of family violence.

Among the actions carried out, the Morelos Prosecutor’s Office seeks to locate the address where the physical assault occurred, to carry out expert reports in accordance with the images of the video broadcast by the victim herself.

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Trump does not extend T-MEC: Mexico faces annual review

US rejects automatic extension of the T-MEC; validity is reduced to 10 years with annual review.

Rejection of automatic extension

The United States decided not to automatically renew the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) for 16 years. This reduces its validity to a decade with an annual review. The measure generated concern among Mexican legislators.

Ricardo Monreal, coordinator of Morena in San Lázaro, explained that the treaty remains in force for another 10 years, but subject to evaluation each year. He noted that the United States presented 54 observations, including issues such as the vaquita porpoise and piracy. Mexico, for its part, raised 13 points, including clause 232 on tariffs.

“Only it will be reviewed year after year, but the Treaty is not finished, it continues for another 10 years because that is how it was signed six years ago,” declared Monreal.

The legislator warned that Donald Trump has been a constant critic of the USMCA and called for considering the benefits it has brought to the three nations.

Reactions of the opposition

Héctor Saúl Téllez, vice economic coordinator of the PAN, considered that the US position shows a lack of strategic anticipation on the part of the federal government.

“The US decision not to automatically extend the USMCA for 16 years in today’s review is not the end of the treaty, but it does reveal a lack of strategic anticipation by the federal government,” he stated.

Téllez recalled that Article 34.7 of the agreement had been known since 2018. Reaching July 1 without a clean extension represents a risk that, he said, should have been avoided.

The annual review will allow adjustments, but uncertainty about the future of regional trade persists. Mexico and Canada will seek to maintain the stability of the agreement for the next ten years.

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