Justice for Mireya Rodríguez: Accused Recaptured in Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez, April 5 – Iván Arturo G. P., the man accused of the femicide of trans activist Mireya Rodríguez Lemus, has been recaptured in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. This development comes almost four years after a judicial tribunal initially acquitted him. The Chihuahua Prosecutor’s Office successfully revoked the previous acquittal, leading to a new arrest warrant.
The recapture of Iván Arturo G. P. took place yesterday, April 3, at a residence in the Urbivillas subdivision of Ciudad Juárez. He has since been transferred to the city of Chihuahua, where he is expected to face sentencing for femicide and aggravated robbery, according to a statement from the Prosecutor’s Office.
Timeline of Events: From Murder to Recapture
Mireya Rodríguez Lemus was tragically murdered on August 30, 2020, at her home in Aquiles Serdán, Chihuahua. Her body was discovered on September 2, 2020. An arrest warrant for Iván Arturo G. P. was issued on September 11, 2020, and executed two days later on September 13.
However, on July 8, 2022, judges Aram Delgado García, Ricardo Torres Márquez, and Lucero Anaid Moreno Navarrete acquitted him, citing inaccuracies in the investigation’s findings. This decision sparked widespread outrage and protests from LGBTQ+ activists and collectives, who demanded a reversal of the ruling, arguing that the court had failed to properly evaluate over 70 pieces of evidence with a differentiated approach.
Activists Celebrate a Step Towards Justice
Following the recapture, the Chihuahua Sexual Diversity Committee shared a video featuring Mayte Regina Gardea, president of Unión y Fuerza de Mujeres Trans Chihuahuenses, an organization co-founded by Mireya. In the video, Gardea reiterated the demand for justice for Mireya and an exemplary sentence for the accused.
“We wish our sister Mireya were alive today, but today we can tell her that she can rest in peace, because justice has arrived after five years,” said Mayte Regina Gardea. She further called for “justice for Mireya” and an end to hate crimes.
Mireya Rodríguez Lemus was a dedicated human rights defender for sex workers and trans women, as well as a health promoter for HIV prevention. She was also a founder of Unión y Fuerza de Mujeres Trans Chihuahuenses A. C. and an active participant in numerous organizations advocating for sexual diversity rights and the dignification of sex work.
Details of the Crime and Legal Process
The Prosecutor’s Office reported that investigations determined that in the late hours of August 29, 2020, and early hours of August 30, the accused was at the victim’s home. There, he attacked her with a sharp weapon, causing her death, and subsequently stole her car and cell phone.
The legal team of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Investigation of Human Rights Violations (FEDH) pursued various legal appeals after the initial acquittal by a Trial Court of the Morelos Judicial District. These efforts led to a conviction by an Appellate Court, a higher judicial body responsible for reviewing, modifying, revoking, or confirming sentences issued by a first-instance judge.
This case highlights the ongoing struggle for justice for transgender individuals and the importance of thorough investigations and fair judicial processes. The recapture of the accused marks a significant step forward in ensuring accountability for the femicide of Mireya Rodríguez Lemus and serves as a beacon of hope for activists advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in Mexico.
