Background and Relevance of Judge Everardo Maya Arias
Judge Everardo Maya Arias, a prominent figure in Mexico’s federal judiciary system, was tragically found deceased on Sunday inside a white Volkswagen vehicle parked on a dirt road near the Santa Cruz Cuauhtenco cemetery in Zinacantepec, Mexico State.
Career Highlights
Throughout his distinguished career, Judge Maya Arias served as the Third District Federal Amparo Judge in Mexico State. Recently, he had transitioned into retirement.
- He issued crucial rulings in high-impact national cases, including granting an amparo to José Luis Abarca, the former mayor of Iguala linked to the disappearance of the 43 Ayotzinapa normalistas, preventing justified preventive detention.
- He also provided a definitive suspension to Ovidio Guzmán López, known as “El Ratón” and the son of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, against an arrest warrant.
Discovery and Investigation
According to official reports, the judge’s body, aged 53, displayed a gunshot wound to the head. A firearm was found nearby. As of the publication deadline, the Fiscalía General de Justicia del Estado de México (FGJEM) has yet to release any information regarding the cause of death.
Local media reported that law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area after discovering an abandoned white Volkswagen with license plates NE-9087-C near the cemetery.
Reactions and Concerns
The National Association of Magistrates of Circuit and Judges of the Federal Power Judiciary (Jufed) condemned the judge’s death, expressing outrage over the incident.
Furthermore, Jufed raised concerns about another recent case where armed individuals intruded into the home of Judge Reyna Rodríguez, a member of the Fourth Labor Federal Individual Affairs Tribunal in Guanajuato. Jufed described this act as “unacceptable” and warned that it endangers not only judges but also their families.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Judge Everardo Maya Arias? Judge Everardo Maya Arias was a prominent federal judge in Mexico State, known for his rulings on high-impact national cases.
- What was his cause of death? Judge Maya Arias was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head, but the official cause of death has not been disclosed by the Fiscalía General de Justicia del Estado de México (FGJEM).
- What are some of his notable rulings? Among his significant decisions were granting an amparo to former Iguala mayor José Luis Abarca and providing a definitive suspension to Ovidio Guzmán López, son of drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
- How has the judicial community responded? The National Association of Magistrates of Circuit and Judges of the Federal Power Judiciary (Jufed) condemned the judge’s death and expressed concern over a recent incident involving an intrusion into another judge’s home.
