Politics · Mexico · 6 hrs ago
Jalisco governor named in complaint over arrests at water protest
A human rights group has filed a criminal complaint against Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus and others with Mexico’s federal prosecutor.
It alleges that 39 people were arbitrarily detained and tortured during a protest on October 11 in Guadalajara.
The protest was about poor-quality water affecting at least 320 neighborhoods in the city, a problem the complainant says has persisted since 2019.
Police and riot forces reportedly used tear gas, rubber bullets, stun grenades and high-pressure water against protesters near Casa Jalisco.
The complaint asks the federal prosecutor to investigate possible human rights violations and police use of force, and to clarify the arrests and alleged injuries.
Many of the 39 detainees have already been released, but the complaint raises concerns about possible physical and psychological harm.
The filing names state officials, police and managers of the water utility, but the allegations have not been established as facts.
Víctor Hugo Gutiérrez Yánez filed a criminal complaint with Mexico’s federal attorney general’s office against Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro, state officials and police.
The complaint alleges arbitrary detention and torture of 39 people during an October 11 protest over water quality in Guadalajara.
Gutiérrez asked federal authorities to investigate the arrests, alleged use of force and possible human rights violations.
He said the protest followed years of poor and unhealthy water service affecting at least 320 Guadalajara neighborhoods.
- Who
- Víctor Hugo Gutiérrez Yánez filed the complaint against Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro, Jalisco officials and police.
- What
- The complaint alleges arbitrary detention and torture of 39 people and asks for a federal investigation.
- When
- The protest took place on October 11, 2026; the complaint was filed on October 15.
- Where
- The protest was near Casa Jalisco in Guadalajara. The complaint was filed at the federal attorney general’s office in Mexico City.
- Why
- Gutiérrez said the protest was prompted by poor and unhealthy water service in Guadalajara.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A protest over water quality took place near Casa Jalisco, and 39 people were detained.
Víctor Hugo Gutiérrez Yánez filed a criminal complaint with the federal attorney general’s office.
- People detained
- 39
- Protest date
- October 11, 2026
- Complaint filed
- October 15, 2026
- Protest location
- Near Casa Jalisco, Guadalajara
- Neighborhoods affected by poor water service
- At least 320
What people are saying
We have requested that the FGR take over the case through a formal complaint over the probable commission of crimes of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, arbitrary detention, abuse of authority, unlawful exercise of public service, collusion by public servants, omission of public service, corruption, embezzlement and whatever else may result, against police, Jalisco government officials headed by Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro, and SIAPA company directors.
Let the use of police force be investigated and the detentions and alleged assaults experienced by 39 people be clarified, many of whom have already been released and whether they have left Puente Grande prison, for which we have asked this federal agency to investigate the collateral damage, which could be psychological or physical.