09/23/10 – As of Tuesday the Federal Police (Policía Federal – FP) and the Attorney General’s Office (Procuraduría General de la República – PGR) implemented a security operation at the San Lázaro Legislative Palace in order to detain Rep. Julio César Godoy Toscano of the Democratic Revolution Party (Partido de la Revolución Democrática –PRD) for his presumed ties to the La Familia cartel in Michoacán. However, according to the online news source El Universal, the autonomy and sovereignty of the Legislative Power prohibits the entry of the Federal Police.
Although a warrant for his arrest was issued, according to the President of the Chamber of Deputies Directive Board (Mesa Directiva de la Cámara baja), Jorge Carlos Ramírez Marín, on Monday, a judge granted Toscano a suspension of the warrant, definitively restoring his political rights and allowing him to submit an objection as a federal representative of the 61 legislature in full session and occupy his seat. With the possibility of Toscano being able to submit and objection once inside, dozens of Federal Police officers set up four checkpoints near access points to the building as a means to register “suspicious” vehicles in which Toscano might be trying to enter the building. As of this morning, the online news source Milenio reported sixteen federal agents guarding the installations.
Sources:
Arvizu, Juan, Andrea Merlos. “PF en busca de Godoy Toscano.” El Universal. 09 Septiembre, 2010.
Damián, Fernando, Elba Mónica Bravo. “Cercan Cámara a la caza de Julio Godoy.” Milenio. 22 Septiembre, 2010.
