The Attorney General's Office of Michoacán obtained 16 arrest warrants against former state public officials for their probable responsibility in the crimes of Qualified Homicide, Abuse of Authority, and Torture, related to events recorded on April 5, 2017, in the locality of Arantepacua, municipality of Nahuatzen. Among those investigated is the former governor of the state, Silvano Aureoles Conejo. The warrants were granted by the judicial authority after the compilation of a robust investigation file, in which sufficient evidence was gathered to establish the possible participation of the accused in these events. These actions are the result of comprehensive work that included field investigation work and expert analysis. The State Prosecutor's Office reaffirmed that this type of resolution "responds to the institutional commitment to combat impunity, guarantee access to justice, and promptly attend to the legitimate demands of the victims." And it emphasized that it will continue with "the corresponding actions to comply with judicial mandates and the full clarification of the facts." "In Michoacán, justice is built with facts," the institution stated in an official statement. Arantepacua: the case that reaches Silvano Aureoles. It should be recalled that on April 5, 2017, an armed confrontation was recorded in the community of Arantepacua, in the municipality of Nahuatzen, Michoacán, when state and municipal police elements entered to repress a protest derived from a territorial conflict with the neighboring community of Capácuaro. During the operation, the agents opened fire on the townspeople, leaving a balance of four dead, including a minor. For nearly nine years, the inhabitants, mostly indigenous, have held marches and protests to make the case visible. In parallel, the Attorney General's Office of the Republic (FGR) initiated an investigation; however, progress has been limited. Currently, he is a fugitive and is being sought by investigating authorities in the country. In this context, the community formed an autonomous security group called "Kuáricha", with the objective of protecting its inhabitants. For these facts, the former governor of Michoacán, Silvano Aureoles, has been pointed out as one of the presumed responsible parties. In addition, 38 people were detained and subsequently accused of crimes such as homicide and injuries. Since then, the community of Arantepacua has maintained a constant demand for justice and punishment for those responsible.
Former Michoacán Governor Arrested in Arantepacua Massacre Case
The Michoacán Attorney General's Office has issued arrest warrants for former Governor Silvano Aureoles and 15 other former officials in connection with the 2017 Arantepacua massacre, which left four dead. The nearly nine-year investigation has finally led to judicial action.