Officials announced Thursday night that six arrest warrants were issued for the fatal fire at , a government-run detention center for migrants in Mexico. The incident resulted in the deaths of 39 men and injuring 28 others.
Three officials from the National Migration Institute were placed on warrants. They included two security guards who worked with a private company contracted by the agency to operate at the center. The person suspected of starting the fire was Sara Irene Herrerias. She is an attorney at the prosecutor general’s Office, which is leading this investigation at a news conference.
Herrerias stated that five of the men were arrested and are currently being arraigned for “intentional murdericide.”
Rosa Icela Rodriguez, Public Safety Secretary, joined Herrerias at the press conference and stated that her office is supporting the investigation of the country’s procuror general.
Rodriguez identified the private security guards present at the detention centre during the fire as Grupo De Seguridad Private Camsa. Rodriguez stated that the National Migration Institute hired Rodriguez’s company in 2019 in order to provide 503 security guards across facilities in 23 Mexican state. She said that the company had a staff of less than 15 security personnel. It did not have permits that allowed its employees to carry firearms.
Rodriguez stated that Rodriguez has filed a request for the cancellation of the company’s contract with the government. She said that the company would also be subject to a fine, but she did not disclose the amount.
Rodriguez stated that Mexico’s federal protective services will assume the responsibility for the company’s activities in Ciudad Juarez.
The fire started Monday night at the Estancia Provisional de Ciudad Juarez just across from El Paso in Texas. It is one of the most horrific migrant tragedies in recent years.
Herrerias stated Wednesday that some migrants had gathered some small mattresses at the center, protesting ” over some inconveniences“. Some eyewitnesses claimed that a few migrants were angry about possible deportations, and set the mattresses ablaze.
A Facebook video of the center, which is 30 seconds long, was posted by Equipo De Rescate Cd Juarez. It shows the fire and someone behind bars kicks the padlock to try opening it. Two guards are standing in front of the locked doors, moving back and forth until black smoke fills the room.
Herrerias stated Wednesday that the investigation revealed that the immigration and security officers at a center didn’t take any action to allow migrants to enter the centre with their fire.
An complaint was also filed with investigators from the attorney general’s Office accusing the top state immigration official of knowing about fire but not releasing migrants.
Rodriguez stated that Rodriguez requested information about the emergency protocols at the detention center as part of the investigation. Rodriguez said that authorities are also looking into the conditions where the migrants were held.
Associated Press contributed.
