Arrest of Former Mexican Defence Minister Shakes Military

Arrest of Former Mexican Defence Minister Shakes Military
Mexico's then-Defense Secretary Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda salutes soldiers at the Number 1 military camp in Mexico City, Mexico, on April 16, 2016. Marco Ugarte/AP Photo
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MEXICO CITY—Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Friday that his ambassador to the United States told him two weeks ago that there was an investigation underway there involving Mexico’s former defense secretary, who was arrested Thursday in Los Angeles.

The arrest of Mexico’s former defense minister, retired Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos, on drug and money laundering charges shakes one of the few Mexican institutions that had maintained the confidence of the people.