Betrayed: The Assassination of Digna Ochoa

by Linda Diebel

Despite a note beside her body addressed to other "sons-of-bitch" human rights lawyers, the Mexican government ruled Digna Ochoa's violent death "probable suicide" and slammed the case shut in July 2003. But journalist Linda Diebel, a three-time recipient of the Amnesty International Media Award, will not let Ochoa's story die. Here is her chilling account of a cold-blooded murder and a cover-up that reaches into the top echelons of the Mexican government. Tracing Ochoa's extraordinary rise from the streets to become a champion of Mexico's most persecuted peoples, Diebel uncovers a byzantine plot surrounding Ochoa's death. From the corridors of presidential power, to the Vatican, to the jungles inhabited by Zapatistan rebels, Betrayed is a riveting exposé, a depiction of friendship and betrayal, a love story, and a testament to the Mexican people's continuing fight for truth and dignity.

Genres: Nonfiction

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2005

Reviews

[Daisygirl825 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. Did not finish.

[Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms Diebel's 2005 book is freshly relevant in light of the December 7, 2011 kidnapping of Eva Alarcon. Ms Alarcon appears in a minor, though significant role in Diebel's investigation into the 2001 death of Mexican human-rights lawyer Digna Ochoa. Just this month, Ms Alarcon was abducted in Mexico by paramilitary forces connected to the same power struggle over indigenous rights, unethical forestry, and land ownership disputes central to Digna Ochoa's death.

Ms Diebel's book makes a compelling case that Digna Ochoa was assassinated twice. First, she was shot in the head on October 19, 2001. Afterward her memory and reputation were destroyed by disgruntled former co-workers and government investigators who painted the dead lawyer as mentally unstable and ruled her death a suicide.
Ms Diebel sees these actors as afraid to antagonize Mexico's corrupt political, economic, and military powers. Diebel's case thoroughly, exhaustively, and convincingly points to murder, even if the exact aggressor and specific motives remain unknown.

Readers wishing for airtight certainty will walk away with doubts. However, the fate of Eva Alarcon this month should provide clarity.

[Gabriel Estrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. This book should be required reading for anyone trying to understand the state of reality of questioning governments who have absolute power. Hope, sadness, anger are but a few descriptions of what I felt after reading this book. A must read!

[Maureen Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about a human rights worker who's courage against thugs and corrupt government officials in Mexico got her killed. An important book that I hope will improve the situation in Mexico.

[Mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

sad commentary on the political situation in Mexico. I believe she was assassinated and did NOT commit suicide.