World · Latin America · 2 hrs ago
Gang kidnaps three officials in Morelos to secure member's release
Pueblos Unidos kidnapped three officials in Mexico's central state of Morelos on Monday, hours after authorities detained a senior gang member.
The arrest came during a raid linked to efforts to fight extortion.
The gang held the officials to force the suspect's release, and the attorney-general's office agreed to release him to protect its employees' lives.
The gang freed all three officials that evening; one had a gunshot wound and was in stable condition in hospital.
The office said the kidnapping would not go unpunished, but gave no further details about what action might follow.
The case reflects a wider risk in Mexico, where gangs have used violence to pressure authorities after the arrest of leaders.
In earlier cases, violence followed the arrests of Ovidio Guzmán in 2019 and Nemesio Oseguera in February.
Pueblos Unidos seized three Morelos attorney-general’s office employees to force the release of a detained gang member.
The office said it released the suspect to protect its staff.
The gang released all three employees on Monday evening local time.
One employee was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound and was in stable condition.
The office said the kidnapping would not go unpunished.
- Who
- Pueblos Unidos, a criminal gang, seized three employees of the Morelos attorney-general’s office.
- What
- The gang held them hostage to force authorities to release a detained member.
- When
- Monday; the employees were released on Monday evening local time.
- Where
- Morelos, a central state in Mexico.
- Why
- The gang sought the release of a high-ranking member detained hours earlier.
Pueblos Unidos
Morelos attorney-general’s office
Detained member
Pueblos Unidos
The gang seized three employees to force the member’s release.
Morelos attorney-general’s office
The office said it released the suspect to safeguard its staff.
Hostages
Pueblos Unidos
The gang held the employees captive.
Morelos attorney-general’s office
The office said it prioritized their lives and that the kidnapping would not go unpunished.
The attorney-general’s office arrested a Pueblos Unidos member in a raid targeting extortion.
Pueblos Unidos seized three office employees and held them hostage.
The office released the detained suspect to protect its staff.
The gang released all three employees; one was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound and was stable.
- Gang
- Pueblos Unidos
- Location
- Morelos, central Mexico
- Officials seized
- 3 attorney-general’s office employees
- Detained suspect
- A high-ranking gang member
- Release time
- Monday evening local time
- Injured employee
- 1, with a gunshot wound; stable condition
What people are saying
so as not to put the population at risk
The capture of a criminal is not worth more than people's lives
Sources
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