Background on the Current Situation
Teresa Guadalupe Reyes Sahagún, the current head of Mexico’s National Search Commission (CNB), has submitted her resignation. The CNB is under the umbrella of Mexico’s Secretariat of Government (Segob). Her departure will take effect on August 31st, as confirmed by Segob in an official statement.
This resignation marks the second departure of a CNB head in less than two years. In August 2023, Karla Quintana Osuna stepped down after four years of service, alleging manipulation of databases concerning missing persons.
Public Consultation for New Appointee
Segob announced that next week, the criteria for a public consultation will be published to select a new CNB head. The process aims to be open, transparent, and inclusive, encouraging participation from relevant sectors to receive candidate proposals that will strengthen the search efforts.
Recommendations from Civil Society
Following this announcement, the Center for Legal and Human Rights (Centro Prodh) urged authorities to prioritize a technically-oriented profile for the new CNB head, rather than a politically-driven one.
“Moreover,” Prodh emphasized, “the consultation should genuinely involve families and groups of missing persons. Listening to them is an urgent obligation.”
Profile of the Departing Head
Teresa Guadalupe Reyes Sahagún was appointed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in October 2023. She holds a doctorate in Latin American Knowledge and Culture from the Institute for Latin American Thought and Culture (Ipecal). Reyes Sahagún also has a master’s degree with honors in Human Rights Defense from the Autonomous Metropolitan University (UACM) and a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
Before leading the CNB, Reyes Sahagún served as General Director of the National Institute for Adult Education (INEA) from March 2021 to October 2023. From 2018 to 2021, she worked as the head of Coordination of Delegations for the Secretariat of Well-being.
Criticism and Concerns
Despite her academic background in human rights, Reyes Sahagún’s tenure at the CNB has been heavily criticized by victim groups. They pointed out her lack of relevant experience in handling such sensitive matters.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Teresa Guadalupe Reyes Sahagún? She is a Mexican academic with a doctorate in Latin American Knowledge and Culture. Previously, she served as the head of the National Search Commission (CNB) and held other prominent positions in education and human rights.
- Why is she resigning from the CNB? Reyes Sahagún submitted her resignation, which will take effect on August 31st. The reason for her departure has not been explicitly stated, but it follows another recent resignation of a CNB head.
- What is the process for selecting a new CNB head? Segob will conduct a public consultation to ensure an open, transparent process. They aim to receive candidate proposals that will strengthen search efforts for missing persons.
- What are the concerns from civil society? Center for Legal and Human Rights (Centro Prodh) has urged authorities to prioritize a technically-oriented profile for the new CNB head and include genuine consultations with families of missing persons.
- What was Reyes Sahagún’s background before leading the CNB? She previously served as General Director of the National Institute for Adult Education (INEA) and held the position of head of Coordination of Delegations for the Secretariat of Well-being.
- Why was Reyes Sahagún’s tenure at the CNB criticized? Despite her academic background in human rights, victim groups criticized Reyes Sahagún for lacking relevant experience in handling sensitive matters related to missing persons.
