[The following article appeared in the February 5 issue of Bandera Socialista, the weekly paper of the Revolutionary Workers Party, Mexican section of the Fourth International. The translation is by Intercontinental Press/Inprecor.]
At a [January 23] news conference on the topic of those who have "disappeared" for political reasons, Attorney General Oscar Flores Sánchez made an important offer. In the words of the attorney general: "The government will be open to continuing the investigation in each and every one of the cases where a relative requests it and can offer facts or proofs." (Proceso, No. 117, p. 18.)
Even though we are not relatives, we have every interest in helping to clear up the whereabouts of the "disappeared." Therefore, on the basis of Flores Sánchez's statements, we have decided from now on to devote a section of our paper to political prisoners and the "disappeared."
In this section, we intend to publish names, dates, places, and all other information relative to the detention of a number of persons. In particular, we are interested in making it known that these persons were captured alive. Furthermore-and most importantly-in a good many cases they were arrested by agents of official police divisions, in other cases by soldiers, and in still others by the "nonexistent" White Brigade [an extreme right-wing paramilitary group widely believed to have close ties to the police and army; the government denies its existence].
According to the attorney general, the Mexican police do not torture prisoners, even though he admitted some "police excesses" such as "two or three" slappings. It would be very interesting if the attorney general would explain what is meant by those other "excesses," since that is the only way to explain the physical condition that some persons have wound up in. (See the case of Antonio Hernández, Bandera Socialista, No. 92.)
The facts and figures are self-explanatory, Mr. Attorney General. If these persons were captured alive by elements of the police or army—as we intend to prove-then their physical condition is the sole responsibility of the government you belong to.
Finally, the last thing the government can hope for is that the case of the "disappeared" can be easily resolved with one or two press conferences. Nothing could be further from the truth. Throughout the whole past year, and particularly in the last few months, we have seen the growth of a movement in which ever greater numbers of people take an interest and participate. The reason is obvious-the disappearance of these persons constitutes a threat hanging over the head of any citizen who dares to dissent politically.
In many cases, it is not even necessary to be politically active. It is enough to be an outstanding trade unionist, to lead a strike, or to participate in a struggle for higher wages. Other reasons are still more trifling, such as the mere fact of being the father, spouse, or child of a "suspect." This is sufficient to turn you into one more candidate for swelling the lists of the "disappeared."
Therefore, we can guarantee that the struggle to find out the whereabouts of the "disappeared" is not going to end. To the contrary, it is going to grow until it succeeds in its objectives.
So, we present the nine cases with which we would like to begin this series:
Ignacio T. Herrera, Cristina Rocha de Herrera, and Juan de Dios Herrera. Ignacio, his wife Cristina, and Juan were arrested in the state of Sinaloa, in the town of San Blas. This fact was recorded on July 1, 1976, at 5:00 a.m. Their arrest was carried out by federal judicial agents and members of the army. At the head of this squad was Jorge Arroyo Hurtado, a colonel of the Twenty-Third Cavalry Regiment. Colonel Arroyo gave the relatives of the prisoners his calling card.
Ignacio and Cristina were students of agriculture, while Juan de Dios was a high-school student.
Teresa Estrada Ramirez. Teresa "disappeared"-if it can be called that—in a most improbable way. On September 1, 1974, she went to visit some political prisoners in Lecumberri Prison. But she never came out again.
Francisco Mercado Espinoza. Francisco was arrested in the city of Juárez, Chihuahua. This news was published in the local papers on February 12 and 13, 1977. His family lives in Guadalajara. His mother received word from a public official that "your son is alive and you will see him soon." It is believed that he is being held in Military Camp No. 1.
Victor Arias de la Cruz. Víctor was detained on November 28, 1977, in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Abel Estrada Camarillo. Abel, age twenty-nine, was detained on October 22, 1978, in Acapulco, Guerrero.
Domitilo Barrientos Blanco. Domitilo, age forty-five, was detained by the army in the state of Guerrero. This took place on June 30, 1972.
Angel M. Herrera Alvarez. Angel, age nineteen, was kidnapped by the Judicial Police. The incident occurred on July 29 at 10 a.m., while he was on his way to the Regional Technological Institute of Culiacán to pick up his electrical engineering diploma.
A few days later, the offices of the juvenile authorities were moved to another building, and the one formerly occupied by these offices was renovated for use as a school. There, some students found a photograph of Angel, which we have reproduced. It was turned over to his family. This photograph makes it plain that Angel was subjected to much more serious "excesses" than those referred to by the attorney general. It's obvious that more than a few "slaps" were involved.