The Attorney General of Justice of Oaxaca, Bernardo Rodríguez Alamilla, announced the detention of Cruz Esmeralda M. R. for the crime of Disappearance Committed by Individuals, in favor of the activist and ayuujk lawyer Sandra Estefana Domínguez Martínez and her husband, Alexander Hernández Hernández.
The detention of the suspect took place at the municipal agency of Francisco Villa, in the municipality of Santiago Yaveo, district of Chóapam, and was subsequently transferred in preventive detention to the Tanivet prison, Oaxaca. This capture was the result of an arrest warrant and ongoing investigations into the disappearance of the activist and her partner since October 4, 2024.
Rodríguez Alamilla emphasized that the detention of Cruz Esmeralda M. R. is the first significant progress in the investigation regarding the disappearance of the activist and her husband. He also reported on a recent incident in which Artemio G. T. was to be detained, resulting in a confrontation that claimed the lives of three people, including a federal agent.
Family members of Sandra Estefana Domínguez Martínez have expressed their concern regarding the lack of communication from authorities about the whereabouts of the activist and her husband, as well as the progress of the investigation. In a statement, the Komite Pëjy Tyotk requested that authorities adopt a more sensitive approach and provide adequate information to the family to prevent further suffering.
Additionally, they called on national and international human rights organizations to join the demand for justice and truth in the case of Sandra. The activist had reported Donato Vargas in 2023 for disseminating pornographic material on social media, and to date, he remains in his position while Sandra has been missing for 120 days.
