Mexican President Apologizes For 'State Crime Against Missing Students

By Rodrigo Cervantes
Published: Monday, September 28, 2020 - 1:45pm
Updated: Wednesday, September 30, 2020 - 7:07am
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Office of the Mexican President
Relatives of the 43 missing students from Ayotzinapa attend to a conference from President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in Mexico's National Palace on Sept. 26, 2020.

MEXICO CITY — The disappearance of 43 students in Mexico six years ago is still unclear, yet it has become a symbol in the fight for justice, as some theories say the government is behind it. Now, the Mexican president blames his predecessor and promises new arrests. 

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said his government would bring to justice those responsible for the disappearance of the 43 students from Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers’ College.

The president apologized on behalf of the state for what he considers a crime that was protected by his predecessor, Enrique Peña Nieto.

The 43 students disappeared after hijacking buses to attend a protest in Mexico City. Back then, the official version blamed the local police and organized crime for their murder and abduction. But many, including the president, suspect that the military was behind. 

López Obrador says there are new orders of arrest against some people in the army, as the investigation continues.

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