**Authorities Arrest 15 Linked to Escape of Elected Mayor in Santo Tomás**
In a significant move involving both federal and state law enforcement bodies, 15 individuals have been arrested in connection with the escape of Pedro Luis Hernández de Paz, the elected mayor of Santo Tomás de los Plátanos. The arrests included actions by the Army, the National Guard, the State of Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office, and local police forces.
These individuals reportedly assisted Hernández de Paz in fleeing shortly after his inauguration on December 17, marking the start of his term from 2025 to 2027. The arrests took place as part of the ongoing “Operativo Enjambre,” spearheaded by the State Attorney General’s Office, alongside the Mexican Government’s Security Cabinet, the Ministries of National Defense and the Navy, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Secretariat for Security and Citizen Protection.
Hernández de Paz fled with his wife, María del Rosario Matías, the current mayor of Santo Tomás de los Plátanos. Both had pending arrest warrants over alleged ties to the criminal organization La Familia Michoacana. The escape occurred precisely during his swearing-in ceremony, despite efforts by undercover agents to apprehend him.
The operation led to the arrest of individuals closely related to Hernández de Paz and Matías, including government officials and family members. Among the detained are six public servants, relatives allegedly involved in extortion, robbery, and other charges.
The election of Hernández de Paz as mayor was under a coalition involving the Party of the Democratic Revolution with the National Action Party and Institutional Revolutionary Party. As the State of Mexico prepares for a shift in leadership across its municipalities on January 1, the case remains a significant development.
**Further Developments:**
Recent updates reveal increased scrutiny on local political figures due to alleged connections with organized crime. The arrest operation emphasized the state’s determination to address corruption within its governmental framework. Authorities are continuing their search to fulfill the remaining 11 arrest warrants out of the 26 initially issued.
This case highlights broader efforts by law enforcement to root out corruption and criminal influence in regional politics, aiming to restore public confidence in government institutions.
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