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Mexican army holds troops over June killing | Mexican army holds troops over June killing |
(about 9 hours 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 the victims were killed in cold blood. | |
The army had said they died in a firefight, but suspicions were later raised as only one soldier was injured. | |
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 the victims were probably members of La Familia Michoacana drug cartel. | |
But 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. | 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. |
Correction: A version of this story published earlier on 26 September said a soldier had been killed in the June incident. He was in fact wounded. |