Members of a Mexican drug gang have admitted to killing 43 students in the state of Guerrero in Mexico. Gang members have admitted to killing the 43 students and burning their bodies in a pile of tires and branches, according to The New York Times.Kama Macy, a senior in social work from Laie, said, “This is so horrible. I have no idea how the families will be able to cope with something like this. Those who were involved in the killings will be judges with the harshest judgment in the next life.”According the The New York Times, the students went missing on Sept. 26 in the town of Iguala, 120 miles south of Mexico City. The students, from a teachers college known for demonstrations, were in Iguala to collect money and steal buses for a demonstration. Fearing the students would interrupt a speech, the mayor of the town, who allegedly has gang ties, along with his wife, ordered the police to round the students up and hand them over to the gang.Chase Beal, who served his mission in Mexico, and a senior in marine biology from Utah, said, “From falsified votes for presidency to paid off city officials, large drug cartels and other corrupt organizations have corruption running through them. The depth of corruption is so profound that it makes it impossible for any honest person to stay afloat in any position of power. It's gotten to the point that I think there is no coming out of it, at least not without a lot of help from elsewhere.”Large demonstrations have uncovered the deep corruption within Mexico. According to The New York Times, Human Rights activists in Mexico are criticizing the government for being ill-equipped for the investigation and taking too long to begin the investigation in the first place (over 10 days). Protestors burned vehicles and damaged state buildings near Mexico City, according to AP.Jose Miguel Vivanco, director for the Americas for Human Rights Watch, said, “[Mexican President, Mr. Nieto] reacted late and poorly. The rule of Mexico is impunity, it is not a nation of laws.”
Writer: Reid Crickmore ~ Multimedia Journalist
