Javier Suárez Medina became the fifth Mexican executed in the United States since the reinstatement of the death penalty in that country. At the beginning of the new millennium, Suárez Medina believed in the promises of Vicente Fox, the Mexican president who marked a change after decades of PRI governments. Fox boasted that he could stop the execution of Suárez Medina because his friend, U.S. President George W. Bush, was in power. However, Fox's attempt failed, and on August 14, 2002, Javier was executed after 14 years on death row.
Suárez Medina's case was marked by irregularities in the process, as were other Mexicans sentenced to death in the United States. He was not informed of his right to communicate with Mexican authorities, and the Mexican consulate was not notified of his detention. His crime dates back to December 1988, when he participated in a confrontation during an undercover operation to buy cocaine. Suárez Medina shot an officer, for which he was convicted of first-degree murder and drug trafficking.
One of the controversies of the case was the violation of Suárez Medina's consular rights, which could have influenced his defense. Texas authorities did not inform the detainee of his right to contact the Mexican consulate. The Mexican government denounced this omission as a serious violation of international and bilateral rights. Despite Vicente Fox's attempts to stop the execution, it was carried out without clemency.
During his time on death row, Suárez Medina expressed his last feelings, asking for forgiveness from the family of the slain officer and thanking those who supported him during those 14 years. His accomplice in the crime was convicted of armed robbery and drug trafficking. The execution of Suárez Medina took place on August 14, 2002, without a last meal request. Despite his conviction, the victim's family forgave him. In upcoming installments, the cases of other Mexicans executed in the United States will continue to be presented.
