The Mexican Army has reinforced surveillance in the city of Tequila, Jalisco, following the arrest of mayor Diego Rivera and the prosecution of two former officials for alleged ties to organized crime and aggravated kidnapping. This was done with a drone team designed to inhibit signals from unauthorized aircraft that could be used for espionage or criminal acts.
“This is a drone team, designed to inhibit signals from unauthorized drones, which could be for espionage or combat. It complements the security tasks of any perimeter where a social event is going to take place,” a military source explained to the Voz del Norte newspaper.
He pointed out that the tool has been used in both urban and rural areas and its effectiveness has already been proven. The official emphasized that, in addition to its technical function, the equipment has a symbolic value and represents the presence of the armed forces, seeking to send a message of vigilance and support to the population.
“It is a tool that works and is at the forefront of the country's new security needs,” he added.
Beyond the technology, the military made a call to families to take care of the youth, whom he stated is a target for organized crime.
“Today, organized crime intends to invade our homes and take away the most valuable thing, which is the future, our children. Here the soldiers have our own mission, but at home, parents also have another very important one: to preserve the youth.”
With this action, the Army seeks to reinforce surveillance at events and public spaces while the community faces a scenario of insecurity that, in recent days, has evidenced the presence of criminal groups in the region.
The military, who did not give his name for protection, mentioned that security is a shared responsibility between security forces and citizens.
Diego Rivera Navarro, former mayor of Morena in Tequila, was linked to process for organized crime, kidnapping, and aggravated kidnapping, and complementary investigations will have a four-month period to define his legal status.
Last Tuesday, Judge Mario Elizondo Martínez, from the Federal Criminal Justice Center in Almoloya de Juárez, State of Mexico, issued the order of linkage to process for the former municipal president, as well as the former Director of Public Security and the Director of Cadastre and Real Estate Tax.
Rivera Navarro will remain in justified preventive prison in the federal Altiplano penitentiary; however, Juan Manuel Pérez Sosa, director of Public Security, and Juan Gabriel Toribio Villarreal, director of Cadastre and Real Estate Tax of the municipality, were transferred to the Federal Penitentiary in Cintalapa, Chiapas.
The former mayor is linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and is accused of allegedly committing extortions and kidnappings.
