|
|
|
 News Around the Republic of Mexico | March 2008 
Mexican Student with FARC Rebels Seeks Refugee Status
 Franco Ordonez - McClatchy Newspapers
go to original
| | Marcelo Franco, father of Fernando Franco, one of four Mexican university students killed during a Colombian Army cross-border raid on a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, camp in Ecuadorian soil, shouts slogans during a protest in front of the Colombian Embassy in Mexico City, March 27, 2008. The March 1 attack on the Farc's jungle camp killed top rebel leader Raul Reyes and 24 others, including 4 Mexican students. The banner reads in Spanish 'Uribe, damn murderer'. (AP/Alexandre Meneghini) | | |
Mexico City - As the Mexican government pursues two investigations into the links between Mexico and Colombia's FARC rebels, a Mexican student who survived a Colombian forces attack on a FARC camp in the South American jungle has requested "political refuge" in Ecuador.
Lucia Morett, 26, was one of the three survivors in the March 1 attack on a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, camp that sparked one of the region's worst diplomatic crises in years.
Pamela Davis, an activist for the Latin American Human Rights Association, which represents Morett, told reporters in Quito, Ecuador, on Thursday that the request for political refugee status was for "protection" for Morett and the two other survivors, both Colombians, until it is clear they will not face prosecution of any type.
Four Mexican students were among the approximately 20 dead rebels in the attack that also killed FARC's deputy commander, Raul Reyes. He was one of the highest FARC leaders to be killed by Colombian forces.
Ecuador has released Morett from any culpability, but it's still unclear whether she could face court proceedings in Colombia or Mexico.
Mexican Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora opened an investigation this month into whether Mexicans had committed any crimes abroad - or been the victims of crimes.
"This is made within an investigation on the role the FARC plays in supplying drugs to the Mexican cartels," Medina Mora told reporters in Washington.
The Foreign Ministry, following a request by the Colombian government, also is investigating whether Mexico harbors any FARC sympathizers.
"The Mexican government is worried that Mexican citizens might be involved with an organization like the FARC," the ministry said in a statement this month. |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us