(U) In a September 25, 2014, press release, the Ministry ofNational Defense (SEDENA)
announced the arrest ofeight men, one army ofcer arid seven soldiers in connection with the
killing on June. 30 of 22 alleged members of a criminal organization in Tlatlaya. SEDENAA raid
that the army officer was being investigated on charges of crimes against military discipline,
disobedienee and violations of official duties, and the seven soldiers were under investigation for
charges of violation of ofñcial duties, contained in the Military Justice Codo. The accused
personnel are beingheld in the Campo Militar 1-A prison in Mexico City. SEDENA said that
the military charges were being investigatedindependently of the investigations that civil
authorities are conducting under their jurisdiction. lt also said that it would present the soldiers to
civil authorities for questioning upon request. As of Priday morning press, the Attorney's
General Office (PGR) had made no comments.

 NCLASSfFIED 1,,
This ODC Mexico City weekly report incorporates information frorn 2 - 8 October 2014.
1. ODC CHEF COMM[ENTS:

- Since we've continued to get inquiries as to what we`ve speci#ically talked to SEDENA
about re£ the Tlatlaya incident, l malle a call to SEDENA Enlace Chief and he gave me three•
points: 1). Aceording to the new Mexican law, alleged human rights violations are ¡he sole
responsibility ofPGR. Since day 1, SEDENA has turned over all information to, and is fully
cooperating with, PGR. This is good news; HR cases are taken out ofthe military justice
realm. SEDENA concurs and is complying. 2). At the same time, SEDENA is investigating
the military discipline aspects of the case. This is in conjunction with, and as necessary in
addition to, any potential human rights charges. This means even if alleged HR aspects of
the case are cleared or dropped by PGR then SEDENA can still investigate/prosecute under
military law. 3). SEDENA ches not release individual names or unit information to anyone
not directly involved in an active investigation.

UNCLASSIFIED 11

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UNCLASSIFIED
INFORMATION PAPER ON SAN PEDRO} LIMON, TLATLAYA INCIDENT

BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT (BLUF): (U) The Govemment of Mexico has detained and
charged seven SERENA personnel in conjunction with the killing of twenty-two
individuals on 30 June 2014 in San Pedro Limon, Tlatlaya, Mexico State_ The unit
implicated is now ineligible to receive US assistance, and none of the alleged
perpetrators previously received US-funded training. This incident has received
extensive negative coverage in international press and, along with subsequent cases
involving police, has prompted non-governmental organizations to lobby the US
legislature to suspend security assistance to Mexico.

INCIDENT; (U) SEDENA members of the 120nd infantry Battalion stationed in Santa
María Ixtapan responded to an anonymous cal¡ in the early morning of 30 June,
regarding the presence of armed suspects at a warehouse in Tlatlaya. A firefight
ensued between the military ánd the civillans on site (suspected to be memberi of the

Guerreros Unidos Cartel). According to the Mexican Attorney General (PGR), one
soldier was wounded during the confrontation, and ali 22 of the civillans were either
killed or wounded. Four soldiers are accused of entering the warehouse alter the

conclusion of the firefight, and killing aN remaining civillans. Evidence indicates up to
fifteen of the twenty two civilians were killed alter the firefight, and prosecutions are
focused on these killings.
STATUS. (W/FF~) In accordance with Mexico's 2014 Military Justice Refon-ñ Law,
this case, as an alleged human rights violation, has been transferred from the military to
the civilian justice system. SEDENA has turned over all information, and the case lo
PGR. Prosecution is pending.

AFTERMATH: (U) On 7 Oct, a mainstream Mexican magazine anonymousiy quotec
that future Merida funding (from the U.S. to
bah;
Me)ico) wil¡ be dependent upen th outcome of the investigation into the Tlatlaya
requested information from
incident. DOS confirmed that
DOS on the incident.
(U) Mexican President Peña Nieto received extensive criticism from the military

community for turning his back on indicted soldiers "for just doing theiir jobs" and from
the human rights community for not acting with appropriate speed to investigate the
incident. Human Rights Watch publically dismissed the GoM's initial account that only
three soldiers are responsible for the death of 22 civilians. AP and Esquire took lead
roles in applying international media attention to the case.
(U1/FEitt6) The unit involved is SEDENA's 102nd Infantry Battalion. The Department of

State has suspender) U.S_ funded assistance to this unit pending the results of the
investigations. According to training records and INVEST detabase research, none of

the seven service members charged Nave received US training.
14 Jan 2015
UNCLASSIFIED 11 F