Following the federal operation that resulted in the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Martín Arango García, the leader of the National Action Party (PAN) in Querétaro, questioned the federal government’s strategy.
The politician, who served as Undersecretary of Government in the administration of current governor Mauricio Kuri González, shared an image, apparently generated with Artificial Intelligence, to illustrate three points: that Mexico was in flames, that crime was operating with impunity, and that the strategy had failed.
“The strategy failed, and it is the citizens who are paying the price. This isn’t politics; it’s real anguish. The country needs security, truth, and a government that reacts before fear becomes the norm.”
His message contrasted sharply with the statement made by the national president of the PAN, Jorge Romero Herrera.
“Today, we must recognize the work and determination to confront and defeat criminal groups. That is the job of any government. May it always be for the good of families in Mexico.”
The image posted by the PAN leader shows burning vehicles and, in the foreground, a road sign that reads “Road Closed,” as well as a space that resembles an airport with people waiting in front of a board with five “Flight Cancelled” signs.
At the bottom of the image, there are more burning vehicles, armed men dressed in tactical gear and with their faces covered. In the middle of all this, a woman and a child embrace with expressions of fear.
In the middle of the image, the caption reads: “Mexico is ablaze with criminal violence.”
“Crime acts with impunity and the authorities seem absent, while those in power repeat speeches and deny reality,” Arango García wrote.
His message was posted a couple of hours after information was already circulating about the burning of an OXXO convenience store in the heart of Querétaro’s capital city.
A video of the fire at the store was shared on Facebook shortly after noon.
News reports detail that individuals on a motorcycle threw an object to start the fire at the store and that the motorcycle they were traveling on was abandoned on Pasteur Avenue, near the scene.
An attack on two vehicles on the Mexico-Querétaro highway, in the municipality of San Juan del Río, was also reported.
The governor of Querétaro, Mauricio Kuri González, a member of the National Action Party (PAN), confirmed the burning of the store at 7:35 p.m. and acknowledged the other two incidents that occurred on the highway.
“In Querétaro, three incidents occurred: one at an OXXO convenience store, thank God no one was injured, and two incidents on Federal Highway 57.”
In a video message, Kuri González spoke of “effective coordination” with federal government authorities.
“From the beginning, as soon as we learned what happened, we contacted the different levels of government to be able to confront the situation and to be on high alert for the state security forces. We have already met with the general of the Seventeenth Military Zone, the National Guard, the Attorney General’s Office, etc., to establish effective and constant coordination.”
In his message, the governor made no mention of any arrests related to the violence in Querétaro.
After circulating the image of “Mexico in flames,” the state president of the PAN party, Martín Arango García, simply shared the state government’s post with three photographs of the governor’s meeting with federal, state, and municipal authorities.
This morning, he posted on his Twitter account: “In light of yesterday’s events in Jalisco and other neighboring states, we recognize the leadership of our governor @makugo (Mauricio Kuri González) and the municipal governments of @AccionNacional, who acted swiftly and in coordination to protect the population and implement preventative measures to maintain peace in our state.”
He then shared an opinion piece in which he raised questions, but also mentioned an overwhelmed federal government and improvisation in security matters.
“If there was prior information on this occasion, even derived from cooperation with the United States, why weren’t the reactions anticipated? Why wasn’t the population protected from a foreseeable scenario? Improvisation in security matters is not only irresponsible; it’s dangerous.”
The PAN leader added in his column: “Today, crime, the same crime to which Morena opened the doors of the country to govern, beyond disputing territories, is disputing narratives, authority and social control; there is the result of the bet on hugs instead of a comprehensive strategy, today that same crime is surpassing the federal government itself.”
Source: proceso
