MEXICO CITY (AP) - A former Mexican governor has been formally charged in connection with the 2014 disappearance of 43 students, a case that has become a symbol of cartel violence and government impunity in the country.
Ángel Aguirre, who served as governor of Guerrero state, was indicted on charges of forced disappearance and obstruction of justice. The charges relate to his alleged role in ordering the destruction of surveillance tapes that might have revealed what happened to the students on the night of September 26, 2014.
A judge ruled Wednesday that Mexico's attorney general had presented sufficient evidence to proceed with the charges. The judge ordered Aguirre to remain in a maximum security prison while awaiting trial, according to court officials.
Allegations and Defense
Prosecutors allege Aguirre ordered the destruction of CCTV footage from Iguala, the city where the students were abducted. The tapes could have provided crucial evidence about the students' fate.
Aguirre's lawyer, Guillermo Baradas, denied the allegations. Baradas told reporters, "We presented evidence demonstrating a high-level meeting attended by Mr Ángel Aguirre at the time the videos were allegedly handed over to him."
The defense has not provided further details about what the evidence showed, and Aguirre has not made a public statement since his arrest last week.
Background of the Ayotzinapa Case
The students were from the Raúl Isidro Burgos teacher training college in Ayotzinapa, a village in Guerrero. On the night they disappeared, they had commandeered several buses in Iguala to travel to a protest in Mexico City.
Before they could leave, local police and a criminal gang attacked them. A years-long international investigation concluded that federal forces, including police and military, were also involved, either through direct participation or by failing to intervene as the students were taken away and presumably killed.
The case has haunted Mexico for over a decade. Only three students' remains have been identified. The fate of the other 40 remains unknown, according to official reports.
Previous Arrests and Breakthrough
Aguirre's indictment marks the most significant development in the case since the 2022 arrest of Jesús Murillo Karam, who was Mexico's attorney general at the time of the abduction. Murillo Karam faces charges including forced disappearance, torture, and obstruction of justice.
Investigators have also arrested dozens of police officers, soldiers, and gang members over the years. However, the case has been marked by setbacks, including a 2018 investigation that was criticized by international experts for inconsistencies.
In 2022, a truth commission established by the government of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador described the disappearance as a "state crime" and said that authorities at multiple levels had participated or covered up the incident.
Government Response and Reactions
The indictment of Aguirre has been met with cautious optimism by families of the missing students. Vidulfo Rosales, a lawyer representing many of the families, said the charges were "a step forward" but urged prosecutors to continue investigating higher-ranking officials.
Mexico's attorney general's office said in a statement that the investigation remains open and that "there will be no impunity for those responsible."
Human rights organizations have welcomed the charges but noted that many questions remain. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has called on Mexican authorities to ensure a transparent investigation.
What Comes Next
Aguirre's trial is expected to begin in the coming months. The judge's ruling means he will remain in custody until then.
Legal experts say the case could take years to resolve, given its complexity and the number of defendants. Aguirre is among more than 80 people who have been arrested in connection with the case.
For the families of the 43 students, the charges against Aguirre represent a rare instance of accountability for a high-ranking official. Whether the trial will yield new information about the students' whereabouts remains uncertain, as prosecutors have not indicated whether they have recovered any additional remains.