Álamo Temapache, Veracruz – July 27, 2025 – The brutal murder of Irma Hernández Cruz, a retired teacher and taxi driver, has sent shockwaves through Veracruz, prompting swift action from authorities and a firm commitment from Governor Rocío Nahle to ensure justice. A video soon circulated on social media showing Hernández surrounded by about a dozen masked and heavily armed men.
Hernández, kidnapped on July 18 while driving her taxi, was found dead on Thursday, July 24, in a northern Veracruz property, with forensic evidence indicating she succumbed to a heart attack triggered by the violent assault she endured.
According to Governor Nahle, speaking in an interview with XEU, Hernández was abducted around 6:30 p.m. in front of the Municipal Market in Álamo Temapache by alleged members of the Sombra Group, a faction of the self-proclaimed Veracruz Mafia.
Witnesses reported that armed men forced her into a van after she reportedly refused to pay an extortion fee demanded by the criminal group.
A chilling video later surfaced on social media, showing Hernández, visibly distressed, surrounded by approximately 12 hooded men armed with long guns.
In the video, she was coerced into delivering a warning to other taxi drivers about the consequences of defying the group’s extortion demands.
The National Defense Secretariat (Sedena) discovered Hernández’s body during a search operation in a northern Veracruz property, alongside tactical vests, vehicles, weapons, and a small shack used by the perpetrators.
The forensic report confirmed that the violence inflicted during the kidnapping led to a fatal heart attack, a tragic outcome that has fueled public outrage over the escalating violence in the region. In response, Governor Nahle has vowed that Hernández’s murder “will not go unpunished.”
She emphasized the coordinated efforts between the State Attorney General’s Office, the Veracruz State Government, and federal security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice and enhance public safety. Nahle reiterated this commitment in a social media post, underscoring the government’s resolve to combat organized crime and protect residents.
On Friday, July 25, a joint operation in Cerro Azul, a municipality bordering Álamo Temapache, led to the arrest of two alleged Sombra Group members linked to Hernández’s kidnapping and murder. The suspects, identified as Victor Manuel “N” (alias “El Cholo” or “Moyo”) and José Manuel “N” (alias “El Gastón” or “Águila”), are reportedly members of the Veracruz Mafia.
Authorities seized two vehicles, a handgun, live ammunition, several packages of suspected drugs, cell phones, and yellow envelopes during the operation, which may provide further evidence of the group’s criminal activities.
The murder of Irma Hernández Cruz has highlighted the pervasive issue of extortion and violence plaguing Veracruz, particularly targeting local workers like taxi drivers. The Sombra Group, believed to be a splinter faction of larger criminal organizations operating in the state, has been linked to similar incidents of intimidation and violence.
According to a 2024 report by Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), Veracruz ranks among the top states for violent crime, with extortion cases rising by 12% over the past two years.
Social media posts on X have echoed public demands for stronger security measures, with many residents expressing fear and frustration over the impunity enjoyed by criminal groups.
Governor Nahle’s administration has faced growing pressure to address the security crisis in Veracruz, a state long plagued by cartel-related violence. The arrests of “El Cholo” and “El Gastón” mark a step toward accountability, but community leaders and residents are calling for broader reforms to dismantle criminal networks and protect vulnerable populations.
Hernández, remembered as a dedicated educator and hardworking taxi driver, has become a symbol of the human toll of unchecked organized crime. As investigations continue, authorities are expected to release further details about the Sombra Group’s operations and any additional arrests.
The Veracruz State Government has urged citizens to report extortion attempts and suspicious activities to aid in their efforts to restore safety. For now, the people of Álamo Temapache mourn the loss of Irma Hernández Cruz, while hoping her tragic death will galvanize lasting change in the fight against crime in Veracruz.