Sixteen employees of the Mexican state security ministry, who were abducted earlier this week in the southern state of Chiapas, have been freed, authorities announced on Friday, following an intensive three-day search.
A spokesperson for the ministry confirmed that all of the kidnapped employees, who are all men, were in good condition.
The abduction took place on Tuesday when an armed group intercepted the employees on a highway near the state capital of Tuxtla Gutierrez as they were leaving work, according to authorities.
Over 1,000 federal and state agents participated in the search operation, leading to the detention of two individuals earlier in the week.
Local news outlets shared emotional scenes of families reuniting with the kidnapped victims at the ministry’s offices. Tearful reunions brought relief and gratitude, with one woman seen sobbing and exclaiming, “Thank you, Lord!”
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Chiapas’ security ministry clarified that the kidnapped individuals were not police officers but rather administrative staff, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the incident.
Shortly after their disappearance, a video surfaced featuring the kidnapped employees standing together, their gaze lowered. In the footage, one of them conveyed a message stating that their release would be secured in exchange for the resignations of higher-ranking officials in the ministry.
The ministry confirmed the authenticity of the video and the identities of the captives.
The exact conditions surrounding their release remain unclear at this time.
