The burned remains of a 24-year-old Mexican businessman were found yesterday in the east-central city of Puebla, 80 miles southeast of Mexico City.
The body had been abandoned inside a vehicle that was set on fire in front of the headquarters of the State of Puebla’s C5, the state’s public safety and surveillance administration.
A few yards from the body, police discovered a handwritten message on a piece of cardboard claiming responsibility for the abduction and murder on behalf of the ultra-violent Jalisco New Generation Cartel (Spanish abbr: CJNG).
The victim, the owner of a business related to the sales of commercial trucks and auto parts originally from the eastern state of Veracruz, was abducted on Sunday by several armed men from a restaurant in the Solesta shopping mall, near downtown Puebla.
Mexican authorities said he was very active on his personal social media accounts, routinely posting photos of international travel and a luxury lifestyle.
The kidnapping and subsequent murder is almost certainly related to a previous extortion attempt against the victim’s business.
In Mexico, cartels and criminal gangs often key on social media accounts when selecting victims for extortion and kidnapping. Businesses related to vehicle and auto parts sales are especially prized by extortion gangs.
Americans, Canadians, Europeans, and Asians resident in or visiting Mexico should take reasonable precautions against kidnapping. Mid-level Mexican managers and their dependents should follow rigorous precautions. Senior managers and their dependents should have protective details.
Social media use of any kind should be curtailed to the fullest extent possible while residing in or visiting Mexico. All social media accounts should be fully privatized with new followers closely scrutinized.
Extortion approaches should be reported immediately to security professionals.
See the country summary for further recommendations.
