The councilor of the municipality of Poza Rica, Manuel Benavides Cobos, was kidnapped while he was on Independencia Avenue in the municipality located in the northern zone of the state of Veracruz. The events occurred on Tuesday, February 25, when the councilor, of PRI extraction, was attacked and 'taken' by a group of armed men. After the first reports of his disappearance, the truck he was traveling in was found abandoned with the doors open in the La Ceiba neighborhood of Poza Rica.
Authorities activated the Red Code operation to search for the councilor, mobilizing security personnel from the three levels of government to conduct the search on land and air. So far, no details have been provided about the whereabouts of Manuel Benavides. It is worth noting that this is not the first time the councilor has been the target of an attack, as in January he was the subject of an armed assault when some people shot at him outside the general hospital of Poza Rica. On that occasion, he managed to take refuge in the hospital building.
Violence in this region has affected several officials, being kidnapped and later released. In the past, criminals deprived the director of Commerce of the city council, Sergio Macías, of his freedom, although he was released a few days later. There have been resignations of area directors due to episodes of insecurity in the municipal administration of Poza Rica. The northern zone of Veracruz has been the scene of multiple violent events that have raised concerns in the region.
