Chivis Martinez Borderland Beat
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Questions surround the death of Ygnacio Lopez Mendoza, mayor of Santa Ana Maya, Michoacán. What was initially reported as a possible traffic accident was quickly dispelled by Michoacán mayors who say his death was no accident.
The body of Ygnacio Lopez Mendoza, mayor of Santa Ana Maya, showed signs of torture and beatings from an object to the head and neck, according to the results of the autopsy that was performed on a morgue in the neighboring state of Guanajuato. Also Miguel Marquez Marquez, governor of that state, said that homicide has not been ruled out.
A few feet away from where Lopez’ SUV was discovered, were bloodstains and rocks with blood smears, lending credence to the theory that he was stoned.
Fausto Vallejo Figueroa, governor of Michoacán, said during his tour of Apatzingán that, according to the PGJ of Guanajuato, Ygnacio Lopez died of asphyxia secondary caused by a blow to the neck .
On Twitter, the former President Felipe Calderon demanded a full investigation, Calderon himself is a Michoacán native..
President Calderon also linked the crime to the Caballeros Templarios drug cartel, publishing a quote allegedly by Mr. Lopez Mendoza, who was a physician;
"When we work, we have to pay the Knights Templar 10% of our pay. All of us, Michoacán mayors, have this problem," the former president tweeted.
Lopez had recently concluded an 18 day hunger strike in protest against the Templarios and demanding greater funding for his municipality. Lopez was found dead in his car on Thursday. (below during his hunger strike)
'No accident'
In a letter to other mayors, the association of local authorities said that Mr. Lopez Mendoza's death "was not an accident
According to information given by his Mr. Lopez Mendoza's family, the doctor got home at about midnight and as he drove his car in, he was abducted by a group of people," the letter read.
In an interview with a local radio, the executive-secretary of the association said the politician was tortured.
Ricardo Baptista Gonzalez told MVS that Mr. Lopez Mendoza got a call from the drugs cartel demanding "more pay", after the federal government agreed to disburse more funds for his municipality.
The family is asking for clarity in the death of Lopez, and that justice prevail.
"We are shocked, because he always fought for social causes, for the welfare of the people, he was loved here and we just want that justice be done," said the family.
LaVoz, La Zeta and Por Michoacán Libertad