Identity of PRI deputy Moisés Villanueva confirmed in Guerrero

Saturday evening (September 17) I reported on the discovery of bodies in a remote area of Mexico´s Guerrero state, one of which was presumed to be federal deputy Moisés Villanueva. Today the identify was confirmed by state prosecutors, based upon fingerprints. The other remains were those of his driver. Both disappeared on the afternoon of September 4 after Villanueva attended a social function. The car in which they were travelling was located September 14. Forensic examiners said the two men had been dead for at least eight days.
The normally speculative Mexican press has not ventured an opinion on who may be responsible for the kidnappings and murders, although it´s of course a given that organized crime [read: a drug cartel] is behind the events. The only question is "Why?"
PRI functionaries issued a public statement which said, "These events oblige us to reflect seriously on how we can deal with the scourge of insecurity in this country, using all legal means at our disposition."
Here´s an interesting footnote to the story. Last week Mexico´s national network Milenio Television reported that it had dispatched an investigative team to an area where if suspected Villanueva might be found. On an isolated road they suddenly found themselves surrounded by masked and heavily armed highwaymen, who allegedly told the team, "Turn around and go back by the way you came." They did so immediately, no questions asked.
No one is immune in Mexico. While the story is not being ignored here, it's certainly not the lead of the day. That's because it´s almost commonplace. Imagine the coverage if a U.S. Member of Congress were kidnapped and executed. A guaranteed front-pager for days.