Sixteen Kidnapped Mexican State Security Ministry Employees Found Safe After Three-Day Search
Mexico City (Reuters) – After a frantic three-day search operation, authorities announced on Friday that all sixteen Mexican state security ministry employees who were kidnapped earlier this week have been freed in the southern state of Chiapas.
According to a spokesperson for the ministry, “All of them are okay.” The employees, all men, were abducted on Tuesday by an armed group while on a highway near the state capital of Tuxtla Gutierrez after finishing their work.
Over 1,000 federal and state agents joined forces to track down the kidnapped individuals, leading to the detention of two suspects earlier in the week. The rescue operation was finally successful, prompting a wave of relief among their families.
Local news outlets captured the heartwarming scenes as family members gathered at the ministry’s offices, breaking into tears of joy as they were reunited with their loved ones. One woman could be seen sobbing uncontrollably, exclaiming, “Thank you Lord!”
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for Chiapas’ security ministry clarified that the kidnapped employees were not police officers but administrative workers, emphasizing, “Nothing like this has ever happened.” The shocking incident had rattled the local community and raised concerns about security in the region.
Shortly after their abduction, a video surfaced showing the kidnapped employees standing together with lowered gazes, as one of them delivered a message stating that their release was contingent upon resignations from higher-ranking officials in the ministry. The authenticity of the video was later confirmed by the ministry.
While the exact circumstances surrounding their release remain unclear, authorities are relieved to have brought the hostages safely back to their families. The focus now shifts towards investigating how such an incident occurred and ensuring enhanced security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Reporting by Lizbeth Diaz; Writing by Isabel Woodford; Editing by Sarah Morland and Leslie Adler.