"Six years after her acid attack, María Elena Ríos expresses disappointment over unresolved justice"

In a landmark case that has sparked outrage and drawn attention to the ongoing struggle for justice in Mexico, activist Elena Ríos continues her fight against the alleged perpetrator of a 2019 acid attack. Juan Antonio Vera Carrizal, the accused intellectual author of the attack, has been embroiled in a complex judicial process, with no definitive resolution in sight.

The acid attack, classified as an attempt at femicide, left Ríos with severe injuries that required multiple surgical interventions. Two men, allegedly hired by Vera Carrizal, carried out the attack, but justice has yet to be served. Ríos and her supporters have accused Vera Carrizal's relatives of intimidating officials from the Secretariat of Women of the Mexican Government during an inspection at the Santa Anita Hospital in Oaxaca, where Vera Carrizal was reportedly hospitalized.

Despite the ongoing investigation, Judge José Gabriel Ramírez Montañón determined that the presumption of innocence of Juan Antonio Vera Carrizal had not been disproved. This decision has been met with criticism from Ríos' defense team, who have questioned process inconsistencies and omissions.

Vera Carrizal managed to avoid capture for an extended period, using legal resources, until he finally surrendered to the authorities in April 2020. However, more than 10 months have passed since he allegedly managed to leave prison, feigning illnesses. Ríos has pointed out various irregularities in the judicial process, including impunity and institutional violence, which she believes have benefited her aggressor.

Ríos' case constitutes a significant precedent for the defense of the rights of women victims of violence and attempted femicide. Her unwavering pursuit of justice serves as a beacon of hope for countless other victims who face similar challenges. Ríos has stated that she will not abandon her demand for justice, vowing to continue her fight until the truth is revealed.

Meanwhile, the case of Vera Carrizal remains a topic of interest in Mexico, with many questioning the judicial system's ability to deliver justice in such high-profile cases. Elsewhere, news of a 4.0 magnitude earthquake in Oaxaca on September 8th, affecting Metro CDMX and Metrobus, served as a stark reminder of the natural and man-made challenges that the country continues to face.

In a separate development, the DEA dismantled networks of the Sinaloa Cartel, making 617 arrests and seizing almost half a ton of fentanyl. This significant operation underscores the ongoing battle against drug trafficking and organised crime in Mexico.

Judge Lorenzo Ramírez Cruz, an immigration judge who served in the United States immigration court system, has not been directly linked to the case of Elena Ríos and Juan Antonio Vera Carrizal. His legal career includes time as an Attorney Advisor at the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and later at the Arlington Immigration Court until his retirement.

As the case of Elena Ríos continues to unfold, the fight for justice persists. Ríos' resilience and determination serve as a testament to the power of one person's commitment to seeking truth and justice, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.