In a shocking incident that highlights the depths of poverty and violence in parts of Mexico, an impoverished man was beaten and burned to death by a mob after he was caught stealing two broccoli stalks from a field. The incident took place in the village of San Miguel Tianguistenco, just east of Mexico City, and involved an estimated 150 townspeople.
According to local police, the man was taken away from the village but later died from his injuries. The chief prosecutor for the central state of Puebla, Gilberto Higuera, has vowed to find and punish those responsible for the brutal killing.
“This is truly an act we cannot overlook … we are going to charge all of those who committed this savage act,” Higuera said.
The man was identified only by his first name, Apolonio, in accordance with Mexico’s laws protecting the identity of crime suspects and victims. Initial reports suggest that some members of the mob beat the man with a baseball bat, while others doused him with gasoline.
Mob attacks are not uncommon in Mexico, and the incident has once again raised questions about poverty, inequality, and violence in the country. In 2019, one of the largest mob killings in recent memory occurred in another village in Puebla, when inhabitants killed seven men they accused of kidnapping. The incident was condemned by human rights groups and drew international attention to the issue of mob violence in Mexico.
The killing of Apolonio has also sparked outrage on social media, with many expressing their horror at the violence and calling for justice for the victim. It remains to be seen whether the perpetrators will be caught and brought to justice, but the incident has once again highlighted the need for Mexico to address the underlying issues that lead to such acts of brutality.