Retired Teacher Found Dead After Kidnapping in Álamo Temapache

The teacher was kidnapped and appeared in a video, surrounded by criminals, demanding that her fellow taxi drivers agree to pay their fees or right to operate. 

Retired teacher Irma Hernández Cruz, 62, who disappeared on July 18 after being abducted by armed men while driving a taxi in Álamo Temapache, was found dead.

The teacher was kidnapped on Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Street, in front of the Municipal Market in downtown Álamo Temapache, while driving the economy taxi # 554. Armed men intercepted her and forced her into a vehicle.

Shortly after, a video was posted on social media showing the teacher kneeling, surrounded by armed men, sending a message to her fellow taxi drivers, urging them to agree to pay a fee or right to operate to a criminal group so the same thing wouldn’t happen to her.

“Fellow taxi drivers, no one messes around with the Veracruz mafia. Pay your dues properly,” she said in the video.

The Veracruz State Search Commission had issued a location file for the teacher.

Furthermore, last Tuesday, during a press conference at the Government Palace, Veracruz Governor Rocío Nahle García was questioned about the case and the fact that criminal groups are charging taxi drivers a right to operate fee.

The governor responded that they were already looking for her, four days after she had been abducted. 

The state government was waiting for a call; “they haven’t called to demand a ransom,” said Governor Rocío Nahle.

The rural teacher’s body was found in the community of Tepetzintlilla, near the municipality of Cerro Azul.

Sources: Milenio, Cartel Insider