Mexican conservative party demands justice for political adviser executed by lynch mob

Mexico’s conservative party is calling for justice after one of their political advisers was kidnapped and dragged away from police by an raging Mexican mob, then burned and lynched in a nearby field.

Daniel Picazo, 31, was attacked by about 200 locals in Puebla recently while visiting the town of Papatlazolco after rumors circulated that he was a child trafficker. Mexican law enforcement officials have already said they believe the tragic situation may have been a case of mistaken identity.

“This is not justice, but barbarism,” Huachinango officials, who oversee the town of Papatlazolco, where the lynching occurred, said in a statement. 

“The competent authorities are already investigating what happened to determine responsibility.”

Picazo was reportedly visiting his grandfather's house in Papatlazolco when rumors began to spread like wildfire on local WhatsApp group chats that he had kidnapped a child.

Police detected the rumors about Picazo and tracked him down to take him into protective custody in a patrol car, but were too late.

Mexican media reports say the lynch mob hunted down Picazo and two friends, and then effectively abducted him a local field. There, he was drenched in gasoline, set on fire and lynched. 

His body was later recovered by law enforcement officials. 

What the mob didn’t know was that Picazo was a top adviser for Mexico’s conservative National Action Party in the country’s legislative the Chamber of Deputies until March, Mexico News Daily reported.

That party is one of the largest parties in the assembly and also the political organization of former President Vicente Fox—a fact that may fuel a more competent investigation since members of Mexico’s legislature are now demanding answers.

Mexican Congresswoman Johanna Torress said Picazo was “a talented, dedicated young man, committed to his country and with big dreams in life.”

“I pray to God for his rest and for the good of his family,” she said adding that the National Action Party was demanding "justice in the face of this unfortunate event.”

In a separate statement, the city council has also said it “strongly disapproves this act and reiterates that criminal behavior must be judged under the procedures of our rule of law. The competent authorities are already investigating what happened to determine responsibility.”

Authorities said the rumors that Picazo was involved in child trafficking were not confirmed. Mexican authorities believe the incident is evidence of the danger of false rumors on social media.

In a Sunday Facebook post, Mexican authorities warned users, “Don’t fall for the #FaceInformation! “Be sure to verity all types of information being spread through any media.”

Mexico has become more criminally dangerous during the past year with more and more violent incidents including the disappearance and murders of foreign tourists.

Mob justice is not uncommon in parts of the country, especially in remote areas where there are fewer police. Reports indicate Picazo was the second person lynched in Puebla this year.

In 2019, seven men were also attacked and burned alive by a mob in the Mexican state.