Mexican Government Pursues New Leads in Colosio Assassination

UPDATE: The Mexican government is urgently investigating new leads in the 1994 assassination of presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio, a pivotal moment that transformed the nation’s political landscape. On November 8, 2023, authorities arrested Jorge Antonio Sánchez Ortega, a former intelligence officer, in connection with the case, reigniting discussions about a possible second shooter.

The shocking arrest has raised questions about the long-held narrative that Mario Aburto acted alone when he allegedly shot Colosio on March 23, 1994, during a campaign event in Tijuana. This development comes as President Claudia Sheinbaum‘s administration challenges the official story surrounding the assassination, which has haunted Mexico for nearly three decades.

Colosio, seen as a reformist figure, was gunned down in front of hundreds during a rally, marking a turning point in Mexican politics. The official account claimed Aburto used a Taurus .38 Special revolver to shoot Colosio, but doubts have lingered about the investigation’s integrity. Journalist Laura Sánchez Ley noted, “This case has been corrupted by authorities trying to cover up all the irregularities.”

At the heart of the renewed investigation is Sánchez Ortega, who was previously dismissed as a suspect. Detained shortly after Colosio’s assassination, he was found with blood on his clothes but claimed it was from carrying the politician’s body. Evidence also linked him to the scene through gunshot residue tests. “He was not found near Colosio at the time of the killing,” the 2000 investigation report stated, dismissing the second-shooter theory at that time.

In a dramatic turn, Interior Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez recently labeled Sánchez Ortega as the “so-called second shooter,” alleging that he was aided by a CISEN subdirector who helped cover up his involvement. This claim has intensified scrutiny on the events surrounding Colosio’s death, suggesting possible complicity from within the state apparatus.

The arrest has sparked emotions among those who remember the day of the assassination, including friends and political allies of Colosio. Journalist Federico Arreola Castillo, who witnessed the aftermath, described the scene as “horrible” and emphasized the deep impact Colosio’s death had on Mexico’s political trajectory. “It was an event of great transcendence that changed Mexico,” he remarked.

The implications of Sánchez Ortega’s arrest are profound. A successful prosecution could reshape public perception and potentially reopen discussions about the legitimacy of the official narrative. Critics, including Colosio’s former campaign advisor Agustín Basave Benítez, argue that the renewed focus on a second shooter is politically motivated rather than a genuine quest for truth.

Colosio’s assassination not only shook the nation but also marked the decline of the PRI’s grip on power. His vision for a more just Mexico resonated deeply with a populace yearning for change, making his death a critical moment in the country’s democratic evolution. “Many people still share where they were when they heard the news,” Basave Benítez said, reflecting on the lasting scars left by that tragic day.

WHAT’S NEXT: As the investigation unfolds, all eyes are on the Mexican Attorney General’s Office, which has filed a request for a search warrant for Sánchez Ortega on charges of aggravated homicide. This case continues to evoke strong emotions and national introspection as it delves into the intricate web of Mexico’s political history.

Colosio’s legacy remains a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between politics and justice in Mexico, and the ongoing quest for truth in a case that continues to resonate today.