Hector Cuén Ojeda's Autopsy Report and Illegal Cremation Contradicts Sinaloa Authorities Claims

"Socalj" for Borderland Beat

From a Proceso Article

"The immediate cadaveric signs, temperature, thanatological signs, lividity, and the correct description and evolution of the body are not correctly established," the report states.

“Nor were the measures for preserving the body complied with by any of the authorities involved, allowing for cremation which is contrary to criminalistic practices for investigating homicides.”

According to information from the FGR, the body of Héctor Melesio Cuén Ojeda had a strong hematoma on the head and received four shots to the legs, which contradicts the version of the gas station video exhibited by the Sinaloa Prosecutor's Office to support the attempted robbery as the main line of investigation into the politician's murder.

Due to the publication of the letter from "El Mayo", the FGR requested the report of the investigation into the murder of former rector Héctor Melesio Cuen that, according to the Sinaloa prosecutor's office and as reported by the governor, had happened because of "a robbery" at a gas station, but Mayo says no, that he was murdered the same day and in the same place where he was kidnapped.

The Attorney General's Office (FGR) stated that upon reviewing the investigation file initiated by its counterpart in Sinaloa for the murder of Héctor Cuén, former rector of the Autonomous University of that entity, it found various inconsistencies that indicate that the events did not occur as claimed by local authorities.

This afternoon, the FGR indicated that it obtained a certified copy of the investigation file, which is being reviewed by experts and analysts from the Criminal Investigation Agency (AIC), who reported that the autopsy performed on Cuén Ojeda's body had irregularities and that his cremation was illegal.

"The video from the gas station has sound and only one shot can be heard; the three gas station employees do not report hearing any shots," he said.

It was reported that he was shot in the leg during the attempted carjacking and hit a major artery.

In addition, the FGR indicated that its counterpart in Sinaloa did not accurately identify the physiognomy of the occupants of the truck, nor did it establish a mechanics of the events, nor did it process the crime scene or the vehicle criminalistically.

"There are stains of human blood in the back of the truck, but there are no expert reports or determinations in this regard," he said.

The attraction and review of the investigation into Cuén's murder arose from the statements made by Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, which were released in a letter in which he stated that the former rector could have been murdered after being summoned to a meeting with the governor of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moya.

On August 13, Proceso reported that weeks before his murder, Cuén accused the Morena party Sinaloa Governor Rocha of removing the National Guard escort that protected him and held him responsible in case something happened to him.

In his letter, Zambada stated that he did not turn himself in to U.S. authorities but that on July 26 he was kidnapped by Joaquín Guzmán López, son of his godfather Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, leader and founder of the Sinaloa Cartel.

In the report released this Thursday by the FGR, it was indicated that the investigation for treason initiated against Joaquín Guzmán López, derived from the statements of "El Mayo", is based on the fact that said crime establishes that it is committed by anyone who illegally deprives a person of his or her freedom in Mexico to hand him or her over to the authorities of another country or transfer him or her outside of national territory for that purpose.

“The essential evidence to prove this crime is located within the territory of the United States of America and is directly linked to an illegal flight; to a plane with a cloned registration; and to the absolutely irregular conduct of the person who piloted this plane and who concealed all information about his flight in Mexican territory until he reached the border, where he only gave notice of his approach and landing in the territory of the United States, where they were already waiting for him,” explained the Prosecutor’s Office.

For this reason, investigative elements went to the Doña Ana airport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, with authorization from the US authorities, since "El Mayo" was arrested there, but they were unable to obtain sufficient evidence against Joaquín Guzmán López.

Various data requested from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) that have not been provided to date, such as the authorization from CBP on the flight on which Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López arrived; the advance passenger information (API) document, among others.

"Report from the US radar security system in the border area with Mexico; certificate from immigration authorities regarding the reception of that flight at the Santa Teresa airport, New Mexico (pilots, passengers, passports, valid visas); certificate from customs regarding identification and inspection of people and belongings; identification data of the pilot; registration number of the plane at the time of landing, legality and origin of the registration; identification of the aircraft," he listed.

"FAA aeronautical records on the aircraft's registration and serial number, including a historical analysis; whether the serial number that appears on the aircraft's door, as well as the registration number N287KA, are legal; and whether they historically correspond to that aircraft today, or if there is any irregularity in this regard; the actual serial number of said aircraft; and whether there was a change of any part in which said serial number has been modified."

He added that the AIC has already located the clandestine runway near Culiacán, Sinaloa from which the aircraft in which “El Mayo” Zambada and the son of “El Chapo” Guzmán left Mexico bound for the United States took off and has data on the takeoff and flight, as well as the approval that was obtained to land on U.S. territory.

The International Affairs area of ​​the FGR, and INTERPOL-Mexico, have formally requested the following information from the Department of Justice of the United States of America, which has not been provided to date:

1. Prior authorization document from United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for the flight on which Ismael “N” and Joaquín “N” arrived.

2. Advance Passenger Information (API) document.

3. Report on the US radar security system in the border area with Mexico.

4. Certification from immigration authorities regarding the reception of that flight at the Santa Teresa airport, New Mexico (pilots, passengers, passports, valid visas).

5. Customs certificate on identification and inspection of persons and belongings.

6. Pilot identification data.

7. Registration number of the aircraft at the time of landing, legality and origin of the registration.

8. Aircraft identification.

9. FAA (Federal Aviation Agency) aeronautical records, on the aircraft registration and serial number, including historical analysis.

10. Whether the serial number appearing on the door of the aircraft, as well as the registration number N287KA, are legal; and whether they historically correspond to that aircraft today, or whether there is any irregularity in this regard.

11. Actual serial number of said aircraft; and if there was any change of any part in which said serial number was modified.

Sources Proceso, Borderland Beat, FGR

Categories: assassinations, El Mayo, sinaloa cartel