Court Nullifies 10-Year Sentence for Mayor's Wife Connected in 43 Missing Students Case

"Morogris" for Borderland Beat

Mayor José Luis Abarca Velázquez of Iguala and his wife, First Lady María de los Ángeles Pineda Villa (right), emerged as primary suspects in the 2013 Ayotzinapa mass disappearance. This tragic incident involved the kidnapping of 43 students by cartel members and stands as one of the most notorious cases in Mexico's drug war.

A Mexican federal court has annulled the 10-year sentence previously imposed on Maria de los Angeles Pineda Villa, a key suspect implicated in the case of the 43 missing students in Iguala, Guerrero, dating back to 2013. Pineda is married to Jose Luis Abarca Velazquez, former mayor of Iguala, currently incarcerated for his role in the disappearance.

The presiding judge who nullified the sentence has mandated the recommencement of criminal proceedings. Pineda now faces renewed charges related to drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering. If this case does not proceed, Pineda may be freed without charges.

Pineda's defense has presented evidence asserting that she was falsely implicated in the charges, citing confessions made by Guerreros Unidos gang leader Sidronio Casarrubias Salgado.

Court records indicate that Sidronio underwent instances of torture during portions of his confessions. Pineda's defense raises skepticism about the veracity of the declarations that incriminate their client. Initially, a court in the State of Mexico dismissed Sidronio's case as admissible evidence; however, Pineda subsequently appealed this decision.

Numerous suspects implicated in this infamous case have been apprehended, yet only a few of the imposed sentences have endured.

In May 2013, a federal judge acquitted Sidronio of organized crime charges, citing evidence of torture leading to coerced confessions in several testimonies. The judge further stated that the prosecution failed to substantiate Sidronio's affiliation with Guerreros Unidos. Similarly, in 2022 and 2023, multiple charges against Abarca were dropped on analogous grounds.

According to the statements provided by Sidronio, Pineda was identified as one of the principal operators of organized crime in Iguala. Initially, she was associated with the Beltrán Leyva Cartel, as her brothers, Mario (alias "El MP") and Alberto Pineda Villa (alias "El Borrado), served as financial operators for this criminal group. Subsequently, she was connected to Guerreros Unidos, as Iguala constituted one of their operational hubs.

Sources: Milenio; La Jornada; Proceso; Borderland Beat archives