The regular session was underway at the Oaxaca State Congress when tension spilled from the plenary hall into the hallways. Residents of San Agustín Amatengo stormed the legislative building and forcibly detained Mayor Italivi Sarahí Juárez Ramírez after legislators rejected a motion to remove her from office.
The mayor, identified as a member of the Morena party, attended the session of the LXVII Legislature where a recall petition was being debated. The motion had been filed by a group of residents who accused her of embezzlement, lack of transparency, and negligence in providing basic services such as water and healthcare.
According to official information from the state government, approximately 80 residents of San Agustín Amatengo protested at the State Congress building, located in San Raymundo Jalpan. During the demonstration, they blocked access while the plenary session deliberated on the mayor’s continued tenure.
The vote ratified Italivi Sarahí Juárez Ramírez in office. After the results were announced, the group of protesters violently entered the building. Official reports indicate that they began verbally and physically assaulting legislators before locating the mayor inside.
The mayor tried to take refuge and ran through the building, but was unsuccessful. She was caught by the protesters, detained, and forced into an ambulance from her community. According to reports, the intention was to take her to the Municipal Palace so she could answer to the public.
The protesters headed toward their community. However, as they were passing through the municipality of Zaachila, state authorities activated their response and monitoring protocols. The intervention was coordinated among various security agencies.
The State Highway Patrol located and intercepted the vehicle in which the mayor was being transported near Zaachila. Before reaching the security checkpoint in the town of Zaachila, the convoy was intercepted by state and municipal law enforcement agencies.
According to the Oaxaca government, coordination between the State Police and the Command, Control, Communications, Coordination, and Intelligence Center (C5) allowed for the rescue to be carried out without the mayor being injured. Following the intervention, she was taken into official custody.
The State Security Cabinet reported that 24 people were arrested in connection with the events that occurred inside the Oaxaca State Congress. Among those detained are:
The detainees were turned over to the Oaxaca State Attorney General’s Office, which will determine their legal status according to the corresponding legal procedures. For more news, don’t hesitate to follow us on Google News and our WhatsApp channel to receive the best information. We invite you to subscribe to our free newsletter.
Source: quinto-poder
