Mexican mayor found alive after hours-long abduction
Rio Bravo mayor Miguel Angel Almaraz has been found alive after being abducted in Zacatecas state, northern Mexico, and released by his captors on Sunday.
The mayor of the Mexican border town of Rio Bravo has been found alive after being abducted in the violence-ridden Zacatecas state in northern Mexico. Federal officials confirmed that Miguel Angel Almaraz was released by his captors on Sunday, hours after being taken to the city of Zacatecas.
Almaraz was abducted while traveling with family and friends in a region that straddles the states of Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi on Saturday. His car was intercepted by armed men who let the others go, allowing relatives to reach a town in San Luis Potosi where they alerted authorities.
Political Background
Almaraz is the mayor of Rio Bravo, a municipality of about 110,000 people in Tamaulipas state, 11km from Mexico's border with Texas. He is a member of the conservative National Action Party but was previously associated with the left-wing Party of the Democratic Revolution. The politician was acquitted of money laundering charges in 2015 after being imprisoned for six years.
Cartel Violence
Zacatecas state is known for activity involving the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel, both accused of attacking civilians and politicians. A car bomb exploded outside a municipal police headquarters in Ojo Caliente, Zacatecas, in August, injuring 11 people and damaging about 30 homes. In June 2021, police discovered the bullet-ridden bodies of 18 men after an apparent gun battle between suspected drug cartels in the state.
It remains unclear why Almaraz was taken. Authorities say they are investigating the case, including who might be involved in the abduction.
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