Judge Arrested in Connection with 2014 Disappearance of 43 Mexican Students

Lambertina Galeana Marín's arrest gives hope for justice in long-standing case.

A retired judge has been arrested in Mexico, accused of obstructing justice in the ongoing investigation into the 2014 disappearance of 43 students from the Ayotzinapa teacher training college. Lambertina Galeana Marín, who was the president of the Superior Tribunal of Justice in Guerrero at the time, allegedly ordered the deletion of crucial CCTV footage tied to the case. The 79-year-old judge was apprehended in Chilpancingo, years after an arrest warrant was issued.

The case, which has deeply affected Mexican society, revolves around the students who went missing on the night of September 26, 2014, during a protest in Iguala. Despite extensive investigations, the fate of the majority of the students remains unknown, with only three of their remains identified. A truth commission established by the government revealed that the disappearances were orchestrated through a collaboration between local police and a criminal group, Guerreros Unidos.

The inquiry unveiled that the students had attempted to seize buses for a protest, prompting local authorities to alert the police and the gang about their intentions. Police forces reportedly set up multiple checkpoints, including one outside the Palace of Justice, where key footage capturing the events was recorded. However, this footage mysteriously vanished, with investigators claiming that Galeana ordered its destruction.

Facing charges of forced disappearance, Galeana's arrest revitalizes calls for justice from the families and communities affected by this tragic event, shedding light on the systemic issues surrounding impunity in Mexico.