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INPRIMATU
Declaration of the Tlatelolco massacre
Nagore Irazustabarrena Uranga @irazustabarrena 2024ko urriaren 16a
Ikasleak Mexikoko Hiru Kulturen Plazan bilduta, 1968ko urriaren 2an. Argazkia: Andres
Ikasleak Mexikoko Hiru Kulturen Plazan bilduta, 1968ko urriaren 2an. Argazkia: Andres

Born 2 October 1968. A few months earlier, the student movement started on June 22 organized a rally in the Plaza de las Tres Cultura, in the Nonoalco-Tlatelolco unit of the city. The students gathered by the Mexican army and the paramilitary group Olympia Battalion were attacked.

The Mexican Government said the attack was justified because it was the protesters who started firing, and documents declassified in 2000 showed that the shooters had been hired by the government itself. On the other hand, the authorities issued a single number when taking stock of what happened: A total of 1,345 protesters were arrested. No official information was provided on the deaths and injuries at the site. A few years ago, American political analyst Kate Doyle recorded the Mexican National Security Archive and managed to document 44 deaths. According to testimonies collected by local media, the deaths were more than 300, and the injured more than 1,000.

Two or three weeks ago, coinciding with the 56th anniversary of the Tlatelolco massacre, new President Claudia Sheinbaum signed a decree on behalf of the State to apologize to the victims.

Two or three weeks ago, coinciding with the 56th anniversary of the Tlatelolco massacre, the new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, signed a decree on behalf of the State to apologize to the victims. This is Sheinbaum's first decision after the investiture, and it is also the first time that the Mexican Government has issued a decree on the massacre: “On behalf of and representation of the Mexican State, we recognize politically the action of the Government against the heroic student movement of 2 October 1968.

Violent actions were crimes against humanity,” the text says.
Sheinbaum said that he is also "daughter of 68", as his mother participated in the protests that year, and the social movement that emerged as a result of the massacre has greatly influenced his political career.

He recalled that thousands of arrests were carried out on and after 2 October, many of which were tortured or eliminated. And, at last, it has also given an official death toll that comes close to what the testimonies have said: 325 at least.