Hidalgo Governor Julio Menchaca Salazar demanded an immediate investigation into Benito Sánchez Pérez, a councilor in Cuautepec, after a video surfaced showing him firing guns into the air. Menchaca described the act as unacceptable and a potential federal crime. The controversy involves a possible threatening audio against the mayor-elect, though its authenticity is in question.
Hidalgo Governor Julio Menchaca Salazar responded firmly to the viral spread of a social media video showing Benito Sánchez Pérez, a councilor in Cuautepec de Hinojosa, firing guns into the sky. The footage depicts the official first handling a long rifle-type weapon and then a pistol, in an open area.
Menchaca labeled the incident 'inadmisible', stressing that a public servant with popular representation endangers citizen safety and could face charges for carrying and using weapons, one possibly high-caliber. 'I always invite concord, peace, prudence, because then being boastful, saying things or doing things that end up in some medium, without basis, imply a very serious responsibility', the governor stated to media outlets.
He emphasized that officials must uphold impeccable conduct: 'Those of us with social representation, popular representation, must be very careful with what we do, what we say'. He warned it will lead to legal responsibilities once authorities examine the video and the weapons' origin.
The controversy escalated due to audio in one video version, where a voice warns: 'Look what will happen to Araus, buddy; just let me catch him in trouble', referring to Jorge Hernández Araus, the elected municipal president of Cuautepec. However, local sources suggest the audio may not be original or could be superimposed, an issue the state prosecutor's office must clarify to determine if a direct threat occurred.