This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-29373797
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Mexican army holds troops over June killing | Mexican army holds troops over June killing |
(35 minutes later) | |
Eight Mexican soldiers have been arrested over the killing of 22 alleged gang members in a shooting incident in June in the south-west of the country. | Eight Mexican soldiers have been arrested over the killing of 22 alleged gang members in a shooting incident in June in the south-west of the country. |
The seven soldiers and their commander are charged with military disobedience and breach of duty. | The seven soldiers and their commander are charged with military disobedience and breach of duty. |
The arrests came after a witness said most of them, including her 15-year-old daughter, were killed in cold blood. | |
The army had said the victims died in a firefight, but the incident raised suspicions as only one soldier died. | The army had said the victims died in a firefight, but the incident raised suspicions as only one soldier died. |
The confrontation happened on 30 June in the village of San Pedro Limon in the municipality of Tlatlaya, about 240km (150 miles) south-west of the capital, Mexico City. | The confrontation happened on 30 June in the village of San Pedro Limon in the municipality of Tlatlaya, about 240km (150 miles) south-west of the capital, Mexico City. |
At the time, the authorities said that the victims were probably members of La Familia Michoacana drug cartel. | At the time, the authorities said that the victims were probably members of La Familia Michoacana drug cartel. |
But the BBC's Nicolas Rocha says some of the bodies appeared to show bullet wounds at chest level, suggesting they had not been killed in a shootout. | But the BBC's Nicolas Rocha says some of the bodies appeared to show bullet wounds at chest level, suggesting they had not been killed in a shootout. |
Witnesses then said only one person died in the initial confrontation - the others were killed after surrendering to soldiers, our reporter says. | |
Last week, Mexico's federal attorney-general's office said it had not found evidence to corroborate that account. | Last week, Mexico's federal attorney-general's office said it had not found evidence to corroborate that account. |
Criminal organisations are known to operate in the area, in the southern part of Mexico state. La Familia Michoacana is active in neighbouring Michoacan and Guerrero states. | Criminal organisations are known to operate in the area, in the southern part of Mexico state. La Familia Michoacana is active in neighbouring Michoacan and Guerrero states. |
'War on drugs' | 'War on drugs' |
President Enrique Pena Nieto has promised to review the war on drugs policy of his predecessor, Felipe Calderon. | President Enrique Pena Nieto has promised to review the war on drugs policy of his predecessor, Felipe Calderon. |
Critics said Mr Calderon's decision to deploy the armed forces to combat the powerful drug cartels in December 2006 had led to a sharp increase in violence. | Critics said Mr Calderon's decision to deploy the armed forces to combat the powerful drug cartels in December 2006 had led to a sharp increase in violence. |
At least 60,000 people are estimated to have been killed in drug-related violence during his six-year term. | At least 60,000 people are estimated to have been killed in drug-related violence during his six-year term. |
Despite that criticism, Mr Pena Nieto's government has continued to fight the gangs. | Despite that criticism, Mr Pena Nieto's government has continued to fight the gangs. |
In February, it managed to arrest Mexico's most wanted drug lord - Joaquin Shorty Guzman - who had evaded justice for more than a decade. | In February, it managed to arrest Mexico's most wanted drug lord - Joaquin Shorty Guzman - who had evaded justice for more than a decade. |