Sheinbaum supports suspension of ICE raids

President Claudia Sheinbaum presented the General Law to Prevent, Investigate, Punish and Repair the Harm caused by the Crime of Femicide. The objective: zero impunity and a uniform investigation in all prosecutors’ offices in the country.

Details of the initiative

In her morning conference on July 15 at the National Palace, Sheinbaum stressed that this crime represents the worst form of discrimination and violence against women.

“The worst crime of violence against women… is death, feminicide, which means depriving a woman of her life for the sole reason of being a woman. It is a hate crime.”

He acknowledged that in some prosecutor’s offices it is still classified as suicide when the evidence points to a direct family member. The law seeks to avoid this misclassification and guarantee that all prosecutors’ offices work to the same standard.

Luisa María Alcalde, legal advisor to the Presidency, explained that the criminal type is homologated: “the person who deprives a woman of her life for reasons of gender commits the crime of feminicide.” 10 gender reasons are established, including signs of sexual violence, antecedents of violence and contexts of power asymmetry.

The penalty will be 50 to 70 years in prison throughout the country, with 19 aggravating circumstances that include when the victim is a child, adolescent, elderly, pregnant, disabled, journalist or human rights defender. The loss of inheritance rights, guardianship and parental authority is also contemplated, as well as dismissal and disqualification for public servants.

Sanctions and protocols

Maribel Bojorges Beltrán, head of the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Crimes of Violence against Women, indicated that the initiative establishes approved protocols with a gender perspective, reinforced due diligence and preservation of evidence. The specialized prosecutor’s offices must intervene in all stages of the criminal process.

Ingrid Gómez Saracibar, undersecretary of the Right to a Life Free of Violence, highlighted that the law guarantees victims access to truth, justice and emergency medical and psychological care. The comprehensive reparation of the damage will be transformative, adequate and rapid, with emphasis on the daughters and sons of the victims.

The initiative will be sent to Congress for discussion and approval.

Claudia Sheinbaum affirmed that the surrender of the alleged pilot related to Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada was carried out in accordance with the National Security Law. The Attorney General’s Office (FGR) reported that the detainee hid his identity when he was captured.

The facts

The man was arrested on February 8 in Jesús María, Culiacán, Sinaloa, after an armed confrontation between federal forces and members of organized crime. One soldier died in the event and five others were injured.

When presented before the Public Ministry, he identified himself with a false name. Subsequent expert evidence established his true identity. He was linked to proceedings for several crimes and identified as a high-level member of the Sinaloa Cartel.

In August, he was handed over to the United States along with 25 other criminals considered highly dangerous, based on the National Security Law. It was not until June when the current administration of the FGR found in the investigation folders evidence of a coincidence of voice and fingerprints that relate him to the pilot who transferred Zambada on July 25.

Presidential posture

Sheinbaum defended the actions of the National Security Council. He stated:

“The delivery of these criminals to the United States by the National Security Council was carried out in strict compliance with the National Security Law.”

He explained that the Security Cabinet carried out an exhaustive analysis of the profile of each envoy and the risk they represented for the country. “The decision made by the Council is for the protection of Mexico,” he said.

The president indicated that, according to the FGR, at the time of the surrender the authorities were unaware that the detainee was the pilot involved. “It is understood that until that moment it was not known who was the pilot,” he concluded.

Link to process for sexual abuse

The Attorney General’s Office of Mexico City (FGJ-CDMX) managed to link Enrique “N”, a priest, accused of aggravated sexual abuse against a 17-year-old teenager to the trial. The case occurred in the Cuauhtémoc mayor’s office.

The investigation began on June 4 after a complaint from the victim’s mother. On January 8, the mother found conversations of sexual content with a contact named “Winnie Poo” on her daughter’s cell phone. The minor indicated that that contact was Enrique “N” and that he subjected her to sexual acts on four occasions.

At a hearing on July 14, the Public Ministry presented the evidence collected: interviews, expert opinions and technical monitoring. The judge determined to link him to proceedings, imposed preventive detention and gave a period of two months for the complementary investigation.

Investigative Police agents executed the arrest warrant on July 9 in the same town hall. The FGJ-CDMX reiterated its commitment to providing justice for victims of sexual crimes.