Mexico replaces embattled attorney general, takes cabinet-level job for development

Published February 27, 2015

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2014 file photo, Mexico's Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam gives a news conference in Mexico City. Mexicos embattled attorney general is leaving his post to take a new cabinet-level job as head of urban and rural development, announced on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015 by President Enrique Pena Nietos office. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File)(The Associated Press)

MEXICO CITY Mexico's embattled attorney general is leaving the post to take a new cabinet-level job as head of urban and rural development.

Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam had weathered scathing criticism over his handling of the Sept. 26 disappearance of 43 students in southern Guerrero state.

Murillo Karam had also been criticized for being slow to investigate evidence that soldiers killed between 12 and 15 criminal suspects after they surrendered in June.

President Enrique Pena Nieto's office announced Friday that Murrillo Karam will be sworn in later today as head of the Department of Rural and Urban Development.

An official who was not authorized to be quoted by name said his replacement as attorney general will be a former senator and electoral-law prosecutor, Arely Gomez.

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Mexico replaces embattled attorney general, takes cabinet-level job for development