Leticia Neria PhD thesis - Research@StAndrews:FullText ...

men appeared and beat many of the students. 88 This mysterious group, which was armed
with guns, cudgels and kendo weapons, was later identified as the Halcones, a group
created by the intelligence authorities in order to act against subversive young people. 89
It was trained by Colonel Manuel Díaz Escobar, who apparently also created the
Batallón Olimpia, the paramilitary group that started the attack against the students in
Tlatelolco in 1968. 90 On 10 June 1971, the police and the riot police did not fight
against the students or their attackers. However, they did allow the Halcones to attack,
and they even gave them logistic support. 91 Many students were wounded or killed. 92
The aggression was brutal. Immediately afterwards, Echeverría appeared in the
media explaining that his government was not associated with the attack, and that those
involved would be found and would pay for their actions. 93 This moment gave great
credibility to the Apertura Democrática. 94 Echeverría added that these actions were
organised by the emisarios del pasado, referring to the previous administrations and
especially to his predecessor, Díaz Ordaz. The regent of the city and the Chief of Police
were forced to resign. 95 However, no one was identified as part of the Halcones, and the
88
Enrique Condés Lara, 10 de junio ¡No se olvida! (Mexico: Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de
Puebla, 2001), pp.24-25. This book is a good source for information, not simply about 10 June 1971, but
also the student movement more widely, the response of the authorities, and the political situation in
general.
89
Carlos Monsiváis, ‘El Estado fuera de la ley’, in Scherer García, Monsiváis, Los patriotas.., pp.141-
199 (p. 172).
90
José Agustín, Tragicomedia mexicana 2… p. 29.
91
Pérez Arce, El principio… p. 88.
92
José Agustín, Tragicomedia mexicana 2… pp. 26-27.
93
Montemayor, La violencia de estado en México… p. 129.
94
Aguilar Camín, Saldos de la revolución… p. 179.
95
José Agustín, Tragicomedia mexicana 2… p. 27-28.
59