[Updated at 4:03 p.m. ET] A spokesman for the attorney general of Chihuahua State denied reports Friday that Marisol Valles Garcia - the 20-year-old woman who made headlines when she became the police chief of Praxedis, Mexico - has left the country for the United States.
Spokesman Arturo Sandoval was referring to comments in El Diario newspaper attributed to Jorge Gonzalez Nicolas, the attorney general for the northern district of Chihuahua.
"He did not give a press conference," Sandoval told CNN. "We negate reports that Nicolas said she fled to the United States."
[Posted at 2:51 p.m. ET] Marisol Valles Garcia, the 20-year-old woman who made headlines when she became the sheriff of Praxedis, Mexico, has left the country for the United States, the attorney general of Chihuahua State told reporters Friday.
Valles Garcia, a criminology student, was the only person who accepted the job of police chief in the city whose police officers had been abducted and killed.
She is reportedly seeking asylum in the United States after receiving death threats, CNN affiliate KVIA said, citing Mexican media reports.
Valles Garcia accepted the job in October. At the time, she said she was tired of everyone being afraid.
She recruited three other women to join the unarmed, 13-member force in the small municipality of 8,500 people, the government-run Notimex news agency reported. She said the force would employ non-violent tactics with the goals of winning back security in public spaces and fostering greater cooperation among neighbors so they can form watch committees.
"The weapons we have are principles and values, which are the best weapons for prevention," she told CNN en Español. "Our work will be pure prevention. We are not going to be doing anything else other than prevention."
- CNN's Arthur Brice and Nick Valencia contributed to this report.
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Flee? I never would have accepted such a position in that sewer of a lawless country. They capture the killers with an 8% conviction rate.
And people wonder why Mexicans come to the US illegally.
What do you expect out of a Catholic country outside the Alps but poverty and corruption?
The war on drugs has been going for almost 100 yrs and it just gets bigger and more, expensive all the time. You cant legislate morality. Drug abuse prescribed or otherwise is a, social health problem like alcholism or aids It should not be a legal issue. We have to let violent criminals out to make room for the pot heads.?.? The war on drugs is an american invention mexicans should stop fighting it.
One must wonder which is the sewer country when the report on CBS has an ATF agent confessing that under orders from his superiors operation "fast and furious" was installed to allow weapons, mostly AK-47's to be smuggled into Mexico from the redneck State of Arizona; they have video. As a result of this activity, thousands have died. My good ole USA just does not surprise with these subterfuges anymore.
The drugs lords be wary, taking the life of this brave woman could have unexpected consequences, look at Africa after a single person set themselves on fire and now a revolt is burning in every other country, Mexico be wary the martyr you may get, it could be the war you do not want.
A cnn story earlier stated that women can do all jobs better then men
Why did she run to the US?
She is reportedly seeking asylum in the United States after receiving death threats, CNN affiliate KVIA said, citing Mexican media reports.
Because the US started this Mother of All Epic Fails known as the "War on Drugs".
because that's where people run where things get shi++y in their country.
Well Janine, I love your question! Maybe you haven't been paying attention recently- but America is the responsible party for anything that Latin America asks for. Any LaRaza demand: is our duty to fulfill. We OWE these people and our "leader" has in fact even sued my state to get his Court to authorize it. Please get with the program... while it is still America.
It was to be expected. It was something good what she tried to do but not enough against the current situation in Chihuahua or the country in general.
She was hired last October. It seems her principles and values lasted four months.
It is very hard to do your job when the ATF is allowing weapons to be smuggled into Mexico.
Rick that is a ridicilous comment. She was very brave and could have been murdered at any time during her tenure, however short. I don't see you stepping up. So don't throw stones.
@ Rick: Let's see you last the same amount of time in that job before you haul @$$. This lady isn't Palin, she's scared for her life and for her child's life.
Stepping down was not sufficient? Must be pretty awful place.
Sure! They are 3rd World. Their people have wrecked our infrastructure in Az. as well. Why, you want some of them?
I say we start sending in the troops and clean the hell out of that place and protect our borders.
Nice try, but, there's no oil or resources in Mexico worth sending troops for.... that's how big brother does it.
Obama wants a Muslim war first so he can open Kenya up for himself and the oil possibilties, it has nothing to do with religion.
We'd have to drop several nukes to "clean" that place out.
Bet you don't hate Az for protecting ourselves, Huh?
I remember when I first heard about this. I knew she was DOOMED.
She just wants an easy passport to America, the Land of the Free and Obese
Finally someone says what Ive been thinking all along.
I wanna see Sarah Palin as police chief in Mexico.
I hope Saturday Night Live sees your comment. It would make a hilarious skit!
Kiss my a**
That would be glorious. We could takes bets on how many days she'd last. (Notice I said days, not weeks or months (certainly not years)).
I don't blame her because I'm pretty sure the drug lords probably have a price on her head.
You're kidding, right? Whom in their right mind really thought a 20 yr. old could handle such a position?
Didnt you read ? She was the only one to apply !
She's got more balls than most guys I know that's for sure.
I HAVE NEVER RAN AWAY FROM A FIGTH AND YOU?
It must be that bad .
"the unarmed, 13-member force in the small municipality of 8,500 people"
Unarmed.....you've got to be kidding.
I know right? Talk about being out gunned.
John, there's a fine line between balls and stupidity.
She has more balls than you.
Apparently women in mexico are not as smart as men.
....But smarter than you....but then, that is'nt saying much is it?
maybe they are smarter, she stepped down in time to save her life. The men died.
Apparently, men in the United States are more cowards than the women in Mexico.
I don't know about the brains but they certainly seem to have more balls
WRONG SHE DID A PLAN AND FOOLE EVERYONE IN MEXICO AND NOW SHE LIVES IN USA WITH NO PAPPERS