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On the night of October 15, Ángel and Osvaldo were victims of police abuse in the Venustiano Carranza borough of Mexico City. More than fifteen officers from the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) beat them, robbed them, and shouted homophobic slurs. The couple reported the incident to the Prosecutor's Office for the Investigation of Crimes Committed by Public Servants.

The police aggression occurred after two motorcycle officers stopped Ángel, Osvaldo, and another person to issue them a citation for having three people on a single motorcycle. Upon realizing that Ángel and Osvaldo were a couple, the officers became hostile.

Faces covered with balaclavas

“This was a clear case of homophobia, plain and simple, perpetrated by members of the Secretariat of Citizen Security. The officers committed the crimes of robbery, assault, abuse of authority, and homophobic discrimination. Several investigations are underway, and numerous complaints have been filed,” commented Emmanuel Hernandez, an LGBT activist who is supporting the victims of this homophobic attack, in an interview.

Hernandez added that more police officers on motorcycles joined in the attacks after conducting an operation in the neighborhood . He reported that some of them were not wearing identification or uniforms, and that they were even covering their faces with balaclavas.

The case came to light after journalist Manuel Sandoval shared a video on X. It went viral, showing more than 15 police officers intimidating and beating the young people.

In Mexico, 3 out of 10 LGBTI+ people are victims of discriminatory practices by the police. This was published in the latest National Survey on Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity ( ENDISEG, 2018 ).

Beatings and seizures 

The police officers fractured Ángel's jaw, requiring surgery with two plates and 18 screws. Furthermore, Osvaldo fainted and convulsed in the street due to the beating. 

“They spat on me while I was on the ground, saying , ‘You felt so tough, faggot.’ Enough of this damn homophobia and this damn abuse of power. This must not go unpunished. I will not be silenced. Justice,” Osvaldo shared on his social media.

In one of the videos Osvaldo uploaded to social media, a police officer can be heard approaching in a hostile manner. He says, “ Stop recording because I’m going to take your damn thing away, I’m telling you straight .” Immediately afterward, the same officer is seen hitting the cell phone to prevent him from recording his aggression.

Prosecutor's office says it is already investigating five police officers 

On October 26, activist Emmanuel Hernández accompanied Ángel and Osvaldo in their demand for justice, where they filed complaints for the crimes of robbery, abuse of authority, discrimination due to homophobia, and injuries before the Internal Affairs Unit at Agency 50 of the Public Ministry, which is responsible for investigating crimes committed by public servants. 

In addition, he requested a meeting with the Secretary of Citizen Security, Pablo Vázquez Camacho.

“The secretary confirmed to us that the Internal Affairs unit has launched an investigation in which five police officers have been identified and summoned to give their statements. He was very clear with Ángel and Osvaldo that homophobic officials will not be tolerated, and we hope that will be the case. The police should be there to protect us, not to try to kill us,” Hernández commented.

According to the activist, Secretary Vázquez Camacho told the victims that the sanctions for the police officers involved could range from changes in activity, temporary suspension, or permanent dismissal from the institution. 

Angel and Osvaldo are afraid of reprisals against them

In addition to beating Ángel and Osvaldo, the police also stole their identification documents (INE), money, a cell phone, and their motorcycle, which has already been identified.

“We are afraid because in the end they kept our IDs and they will know where we live,” said one of the victims during the meeting with the Secretary of Citizen Security.

According to the activist, the secretary shared with Ángel and Osvaldo the phone numbers of the Director of Internal Affairs and the Undersecretary of Institutional Development at the Attorney General's Office, so they could contact them if they felt unsafe. He also offered them psychological support services. 

Police abuse against dissidents is on the rise

Gloria Careaga, director of Fundación Arcoíris , an organization that is part of the National Observatory of Hate Crimes, told Presentes that there is an increase in structural and police violence against dissident populations in Mexico.

“We’ve seen an increase in violence against LGBT people in recent years, a significant setback in support, and a rise in the attacks LGBT people are facing as part of the structural violence that pervades the country. From the Observatory, we see that the figures for violence are increasing and that the police have been consistently attacking various dissident demonstrations, not only LGBT people, but also young women who are protesting. It seems they have a license to abuse those of us who are outside the norm, and we don’t see any action from the government or institutions to limit this violence,” Careaga explained.

According to Visible online platform for reporting LGBT-hating attacks, 103 cases of police violence have been reported so far in 2023, including various forms of intimidation, arbitrary detention, and physical, psychological, and verbal abuse.
If you have experienced any type of LGBT-hating violence, you can report it at this link a complaint can be filed with the National Human Rights Commission and its state counterparts when a public official violates human rights.