Homicide Charges Filed Against Festival Organizers in Photojournalist Deaths in Mexico City
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The Attorney General’s Office in Mexico City has formally charged two companies – Operadora de Centros de Espectáculos, SA de CV (OCESA) and Servicios de Protección Privada Lobo, SA de CV – with homicide following the deaths of photojournalists Berenice Giles and Miguel Ángel Rojas at the Ax Ceremonia 2025 festival. The charges represent a significant escalation in the investigation into the tragic incident, which has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.
The legal team representing Giles’ family confirmed they were notified on January 14th that the Public Ministry, led by Mercedes Karina Granados, had included both companies in the ongoing investigation. This decision followed directives from three separate judges who mandated the inclusion of the organizations in the case file. With the addition of OCESA and Servicios de Protección Privada Lobo, a total of five companies and eight individuals are now implicated in the investigation.
Mounting Pressure on Festival Organizers
The initial investigation focused on security protocols and potential negligence at the Ax Ceremonia 2025 festival. However, the involvement of OCESA, the event organizer, and Servicios de Protección Privada Lobo, the security firm contracted for the festival, suggests a broader scope of responsibility is being considered. The charges indicate authorities believe these entities bear criminal culpability for the deaths of the two journalists.
“There are groups that seek to distort the fight we undertook, and that in reality seek other goals,” stated Giles’ father in a recently released video. This statement hints at potential external pressures influencing the investigation and underscores the family’s determination to pursue justice.
Expanding Investigation and Calls for Transparency
The inclusion of OCESA and Servicios de Protección Privada Lobo marks a turning point in the case. Authorities have not yet detailed the specific evidence linking the companies to the homicide, but the charges suggest a failure to provide adequate safety measures or a direct involvement in the events leading to the journalists’ deaths.
The case remains under active investigation, and further details are expected to emerge as the legal proceedings unfold. The outcome of this case will likely set a precedent for event safety and corporate responsibility in Mexico City and beyond.
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