Set in the mountains, a 30-minute drive south of Monterrey, the “magic town” of Santiago, Nuevo Leon is a picture perfect traditional Mexican pueblo.
In late April, at the pretty church located in Santiago’s central plaza, I attended a wedding between two old acquaintances. The groom, 27, was from Victoria, British Columbia, and the bride was a 27-year-old Mexican from Monterrey.
The setting was ideal for the childhood sweethearts.
Santiago’s large plaza sparkled as the happy couple emerged from the church. The bells rang out and confetti rained down into everyone’s hair. The overlooking mountains, narrow streets and colonial architecture provided a glorious backdrop and left the large Canadian contingent suitably impressed.
It must have come as a shock to them – it certainly did to me – to learn last week that the same church was being used for the funeral of the town’s mayor, Edilmiro Cavazos, who, according to reports, was murdered for refusing to cooperate with a criminal group that was controlling the town.
Apparently, at least 12 police officers in Santiago were going around extorting money from motorists whenever it took their fancy. They were also on the payroll of the notorious Zeta drug cartel, some receiving up to 6,000 pesos a month for allegiance and “favors.”
Ten days before he was kidnapped, Cavazos, 38, found out that police had harassed and extorted money from some bikers. The police, knowing they were protected by criminal elements, ignored Cavazos’ pleas for them to stop.
The mayor then reduced their salaries by 700 pesos as a punishment – not the harshest sanction if you consider what would happen to police officers caught doing the same thing in other countries.
The wage deduction was seen as sufficient evidence for the criminal organization that Cavazos was on the payroll of a rival cartel, something for which there has been no evidence.
“From what we know from speaking to all and sundry, the mayor was an honest man, hardworking and committed to his people,” confirmed Nuevo Leon Attorney General Alejandro Garza y Garza.
Cavazos was abducted on August 16. The policeman responsible for guarding the mayor’s house invited the cartel members inside.
Cavazos was unable to convince the Zetas that he had nothing to do with any other drug cartel and was shot three times in the head and dumped at the side of the highway.
Ten Santiago police officers were arrested, out of a total force of 94. Two had participated directly in the kidnapping and murder of Cavazos.
The town closed down the day of the funeral; 1,200 filled the church and hundreds more greived outside. The procession was led by Cavazos’ wife and three young children.
Predictably, it was reported that tourism bombed following the murder.
That any couple would choose Santiago for their wedding now is barely thinkable. Even finding anyone to take on the role of mayor is proving extremely difficult.
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