SMA PROGRAMS: INDIGENOUS RIGHTS:
State Police Offer Help

Isidro, who is one of the most recognized indigenous leaders in the community is now under 24 hour police protection as he returns to his homeland. State police and the State’s Attorney General (PJE) are investigating his illegal arrest, the land fraud, and the murders that have occurred in his community. Two former state police officers involved in the arrest and the regional commander have reportedly been indicted and an investigation of Artemio Fontes is underway.

At the request of SMA, PJE is planning to install six solar powered radios in Isidro’s community, Coloradas de la Virgen with 24 hour access to the municipio (county) police headquarters. The police are a six hour drive from Coloradas, however, the radio network is hoped to improve security and communication in the community.

Inept and Corrupt Federal Attorney General

Since Isidro’s arrest, PJE has undergone a major shakeup. The state police commander and the attorney general were forced to resign last May after over 20 state police officers were arrested for participation in mass murders, assassinations, trafficking illegal immigrants and other crimes in Juarez and other parts of Chihuahua.

The PJE had been under intense international pressure for their inept and corrupt investigation of the murders of hundreds of young women in Juarez and other cities in Chihuahua. They were also under increasing pressure to investigate Isidro’s illegal arrest from a coalition of NGOs, law firms, and indigenous organizations in the US and Mexico.

Despite an outstanding federal indictment from 1993, the Federal Attorney the Federal Attorney General (PGR) has failed to initiate an investigation or issue an arrest warrant for the Fontes who have been implicated in dozens of murder and narcotrafficking charges. Continued international pressure is needed to bring justice and security for the Tarahumara of Coloradas de la Virgen.