California Woman Kidnapped In Mexico Now Returning to U.S. After Release: No Arrest Have Been Made!

California Woman Kidnapped in Mexico

Monica De Leon Barba, 40, a California woman from San Mateo, had been held captive since November 2022 when she was abducted while walking her dog home from work in Tepatitlán, Jalisco. ABC 7 News reported that the FBI announced the California woman’s release on Friday and stated that she is on her way back home. No arrests have been made, and the FBI is collaborating with Mexican authorities to identify the suspects involved.

The kidnapping of the California woman, De Leon Barba highlights the high rates of kidnapping in Mexico, attributed to the organization and opportunism of criminal enterprises in the country. The FBI’s investigation into the California woman’s case is ongoing, focusing on bringing justice and ensuring the safety of innocent victims.

The release of De Leon Barba, a California woman, brings relief and joy to her family, and the FBI expressed gratitude for her safe return. However, the investigation continues, and further details about her captivity and the motives behind the Califonia woman’s kidnapping have not been disclosed.

Mexico, particularly the state of Jalisco where the abduction of the California woman occurred, has seen significant criminal activity, including cartel violence and attacks on journalists and law enforcement officials. The Jalisco New Generation cartel, one of Mexico’s most notorious criminal organizations, operates in the region and is known for its involvement in drug trafficking and violence.

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California Woman and Other Abductions

Earlier this month, three journalists were abducted in Nayarit, another state in western Mexico, with one later found murdered and another released CBS News reported. The third journalist remains missing. The security situation in Mexico remains a concern, and efforts to combat criminal organizations and protect innocent individuals are ongoing.

As California woman, De Leon Barba returns to the United States, the FBI will continue working with Mexican authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety of individuals affected by such crimes.

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