Mexican Marines Accused of Torture and Sexual Assault in Veracruz Reuters
go to original February 5, 2016

A Mexican Marine stands guard during a search operation to locate drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, in Mazatlan, Mexico, July 15, 2015. (Reuters)

Troops from Mexico's marines tortured four people and sexually assaulted three in the Gulf Coast state of Veracruz in 2012, an independent human rights commission said on Thursday.

Human rights groups have long alleged a record of murder, rape and torture by the military since it was deployed by former President Felipe Calderon to take on powerful drug gangs in late 2006.

But the marines are considered one of the least corrupt security forces in Mexico and have arrested cartel leaders like Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the notorious drug lord who was recaptured in January.

The National Commission for Human Rights, or CNDH, found that the marines in 2012 tortured four people, including through electric shock to the genitals and breasts, and sexually violated three people. The commission said six people had their rights violated, without specifying details about each person.

The torture "was with the intention of obtaining information or a confession for the crimes they were accused of," CNDH said in a statement.

Read the rest at Newsweek

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