On November 9, 2025 the Minister of Culture of Guerrero paid tribute to the former governor Ruben Figueroa Figueroaa figure that is directly related to state repression during the dirty war.
The act solved one Wave of rejection directly through sacrifice, Relatives of missing people And Collectives social groups that considered the tribute a attack for the MemoryThe Would and the Human rights of those who suffered Violence During this time.
The department head, Aida Melina Martinez Rebolledoissued on December 23rd a public apology through their social networks, although organizations and victims pointed out that this response was inadequate and called for it Governor’s intervention and one comprehensive repair.
In his statement Martinez Rebolledo He addressed his words to the victims, the cultural communities, the indigenous peoples and the Guerrero society, recognizing the sadness that the honor caused.
He expressed: “Due to deep reflection and self-criticism, I offer a public, sincere and unreserved apology, as no law or regulation can be above the human dignity and pain of the victims.”
He accepted this honor Figueroa Figueroa It constituted a mistake and an act of re-victimization, violating the principles of truth and justice, and committed to reviewing the civic calendar, promoting legal reforms that prohibit the glorification of those who have violated human rights, and measures to dignify victims from official spaces.
The social reaction was immediate. Collectives, including farmers’, artists’ and human rights organizations, as well as relatives of the disappeared, demanded a formal apology from the government it led Evelyn Salgado Pineda such as the dismissal of the culture minister.
At least 570 representatives They did not know the validity of the apology expressed on social networks and demanded that the governor be the one to make a widespread public apology before the local Congress and in the presence of the victims.
The organizations also called for the consistent application of Dignity Protocols to the victims, the guarantee that no public space bears the name of those responsible for human rights violations and the full redress of grievances.
In addition, it was highlighted that the review of the state civic calendar lacks legitimacy as it was carried out without consultation or participation of specialized and aggrieved voices, which creates problems Doubts about representativeness.
Amid rumors of her possible resignation following the controversy, the secretary spoke out Martinez Rebolledo He made it clear that he would remain in office and continue the state’s cultural reform.
He noted that he would continue to work on the state program and in coordination with the artistic communities. Open spaces for dialogue and institutional self-criticism.
“Dialogue will always be open, it is the best way to build and not destroy,” he said, reiterating that the government had admitted mistakes.
In response to the criticism, the state administration announced the creation of one Commission to Review and Update the Citizens’ Calendarwith the aim of preventing people held responsible for the repression from being praised at state ceremonies.
On December 22, the Ministry of Culture issued a technical-legal opinion supporting the reform of Article 30 of Law No. 761 on Symbols of Identity and Belonging. This initiative will be evaluated by the state’s legal department before being sent to the local Congress.
Although a public call for suggestions was launched, groups protested against it lack of transparency and the Lack of legitimate representatives the victims and experts in the process.
At the national level it is National Human Rights Commission On November 12, it issued a recommendation addressed to the head of the executive branch of Guerrero to implement public apologies and reparations measures international standards and current legislation.
At the same time the president Claudia Sheinbaum He deplored the honor during a conference and stressed the importance of reviewing the calendar of civic commemorations to avoid exaggerating figures hostile to the history of the struggle.
The voices of survivors of repression keep the demand for justice alive. Maria Argüello Vazquezformer member of the Poor People’s Party and one of the survivors of the military ambush which ended with the rescue of Figueroa Figueroa in 1974, gave his testimony about the violence he experienced and the losses suffered as a result of his militancy.
Argüello, together with family members and employees of the National Search Commissionhas returned to places where missing and murdered people are believed to be buried dirty warwhich reinforces the demand for truth and historical memory.
The persistence of the testimonies and the commitment of family members and organizations support the demand to abolish any public recognition of those responsible for state crimes and to consolidate legal reforms alongside effective reparation measures.
The groups recalled that the government’s failure to comply with the CNDH recommendations represents contempt and perpetuates the wounds caused by decades of work institutional violence.
While the governor Salgado Pineda Failing to formally respond to these demands, the groups have called for a demonstration on January 12, 2026 in front of the State Congress with the aim of making social rejection visible and demanding transparency, inclusion and an effective public apology that goes beyond the digital space.
The civil society of warrior argues that justice and memory require concrete actions and institutional recognition, not simple formal gestures or closed processes.
About The Author
