[NYTr] Chiapas: accused mastermind in Acteal massacre dies

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

World War 4 Report - Dec 9, 2007
 http://www.ww4report.com

Chiapas: accused mastermind in Acteal massacre dies

Antonio Vázquez Secum, named by Mexico's Prosecutor General of the 
Republic (PGR) as the author of the December 1997 Acteal massacre, 
died Nov. 17 at his home in the village of Quextic, Chiapas. Secum, 
who was over 70 years old, was freed from Cerro Hueco prison last 
year when he contracted pneumonia. The PGR's "white book" on the 
affair said he led a group of eight men from Miguel Utrilla Los 
Chorros hamlet in the attack on nearby Acteal (both in Chenahló 
municipality) in retaliation for the slaying of his son, Agustín 
Vázquez. He was among the first arrested for the massacre early in 
1998. (La Jornada, Nov. 20)

According to the investigation findings posted on the website of the 
Mexican Presidency, Agustín Vázquez was killed in an ambush by masked 
men on Dec. 17, 1997, and the powerful "cacique" families of Chenalhó 
identified the perpetrators as residents of Acteal. ("Chiapas: 
Cobertura Especial," Presidencia.gob.mx)

The Chiapas state government has opened a new investigation into the 
Dec. 22, 1997 slaying of 45 unarmed Toztzil Maya peasants - including 
children and pregnant women - at Acteal. The announcement said the 
investigation will be "objective, scientific and, above all, without 
prejudice." Las Abejas, the Maya Catholic pacifist group targeted in 
the massacre, has long been demanding a new investigation. (La 
Jornada, Nov. 23)

Las Abejas continue to protest the militarization of the Chiapas 
Highlands. Massacre survivor Roberto Pérez recently said that the 
permanent military presence has led to a growing incidence of 
prostitution among the Maya women of the zone. (CMDPH, Nov. 20)

Las Abejas has announced that they will be hosting a "National 
Encuentro Against Impunity" at Acteal on the anniversary of the 
massacre this year. (Zapateando, Dec. 1)