Police have arrested Lambertina Galeana Marín, a former president of the Superior Tribunal of Justice in Guerrero, on allegations of evidence tampering linked to the 2014 case involving 43 missing students. Galeana, now 79, allegedly ordered the destruction of critical CCTV footage that was crucial for the investigation into the students' disappearance, which has haunted the nation for nearly a decade. The arrest occurred in Chilpancingo, three years following the issuance of a warrant for her apprehension.
The students vanished on the night of September 26, 2014, after traveling to Iguala to hijack buses for a protest in Mexico City. Reports indicate that both local police and members of the criminal organization Guerreros Unidos were involved in their forced disappearance. Investigators believe the students were mistaken for members of a rival gang, Los Rojos, resulting in a coordinated effort between the police and criminal groups to obstruct their activities.
While some remains have been uncovered, the families of the 43 students continue to demand accountability and justice in a case marred by contradictions and state complicity. A 2022 report from a truth commission indicated that the disappearances had the backing of state authorities, revealing a troubling nexus between law enforcement and organized crime.
Galeana's role in erasing essential video evidence raises significant concerns over the integrity of the ongoing investigations, as local sources reported that the crucial footage from the Palace of Justice was never retrieved. In a statement, Mexico’s security ministry confirmed that charges of forced disappearance are forthcoming against the retired judge. The pursuit for justice remains a poignant chapter in Mexico's ongoing battle against violence and corruption.
