Vancouver-based mining company confirms deaths of nine workers kidnapped in Mexico
· Toronto Sun
A mining company based in Vancouver has confirmed that nine of its 10 workers have been found dead, more than two months after they were abducted in Mexico .
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“Nine colleagues have now been found deceased,” Vizsla Silver said in a news release on Monday.
The company noted that it “remains in close contact with the family of one colleague who remains missing and continues to support the authorities in their ongoing investigation.”
The workers were kidnapped on Jan. 23 from the company’s project site in Concordia, in Mexico’s violence-plagued state of Sinaloa, about 50 kilometres east of Mazatlan.
By Feb. 9, three of the kidnapped employees were found dead, Mexico’s Mining Chamber said.
Vizsla Silver confirmed in an update that same day that the families had been notified, though no further details were provided at the time.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced in a news conference that several suspects were apprehended in connection with the case.
“From the moment the case became public, arrests were made,” she said, per Mexico Business News . “Those detained provided information that led to further findings. Everything is being investigated.”
Who is reportedly behind the kidnappings?
The workers were taken from a gated residential compound in Concordia, according to Mexican authorities, who have linked the kidnappings to Los Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa cartel led by the sons of jailed drug lord Joaquin (El Chapo) Guzman.
They are fighting rival group La Mayiza, which is loyal to the son of Ismael (El Mayo) Zambada, who previously led the Sinaloa cartel with Guzman.
However, at one point, Mexico said it was investigating the company and whether it was in any way responsible for the kidnapping.
“We have to … look into exactly what the labour conditions were for these miners and see if there is or isn’t responsibility,” Sheinbaum said Feb. 13, per CBC .
Vizsla Silver said it continues to cooperate fully with Mexican authorities in their ongoing investigation.
“This is a devastating outcome, and our heartfelt condolences are with all the families impacted. We stand beside them with continued support as we mourn our colleagues and friends,” Michael Konnert, President and CEO of Vizsla Silver, said in a statement.
“We will always carry this loss with us,” he continued. “We will honour our colleagues through the work we do every day and our ongoing commitment to their families, our community in Sinaloa, and the values that define us.”