Ana Fernanda Basaldúa Ruiz was not yet 18 years old when she decided to go live in the United States with her father, a US citizen, who married a Mexican woman from the municipality of Tacámbaro, Michoacán.
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After obtaining US citizenship, Ana Fernanda decided to join the ranks of the Army of that country and, just last Monday, she died in one of the barracks.
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The reasons for the death of the young Mexican have not been revealed to her parents, who demand justice and that investigations be carried out in depth.
Eulalia Alejandra Ruiz Zarco, her mother, revealed that on several occasions her daughter told her that she was harassed by a Puerto Rican. The subject was of higher rank than her in the US Army and, not long ago, he was upset because Ana Fernanda rejected him.
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Interviewed in her hometown, Eulalia Alejandra laments that three days have passed since her daughter died and the militia still has not told them what and how she died.
Ana Fernanda was concentrated at the Fort Hood military camp in Killeen, Texas, where she was a combat engineer.
the american medium dallasnews points out that in recent years that site has faced homicides, suicides and sexual assaults among its troops.
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The victim’s mother says that this past Monday they received a call from the United States Army to offer their condolences for the death of her daughter. “The first time they told us something about her, it was that she had been found thrown from her and that when she was taken to the infirmary, well, there was nothing to do with her because she had died.”
“We went talking with the sergeant in charge of her, Patrick Sullivan; he told us that Ana Fernanda had hanged herself”, says Eulalia.
About this version, the mother of the young Mexican-American said she doubted, since Ana Fernanda could not have done that. She accuses that the United States military has not sent them photographs, or videos, or anything and that all the information has been verbal.
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“They say they are investigating, but they do not give us great detail. I ask you in the most loving way, in the most humane way, to clarify all our doubts and to present us with evidence and everything about what happened to my daughter, ”she cries.
Ana Fernanda’s mother said that she has applied for a humanitarian visa to be able to pick up her daughter, return her to Mexico and bury her in Tacámbaro, her hometown.
What is known?
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the United States, demanded this Friday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigate the death of soldier Ana Fernanda at Fort Hood (Texas). ), where soldier Vanessa Guillén was murdered in 2020.
“The investigation must begin immediately and must be led by an authority outside (the US Army),” said Analuisa Tapia, director in Killeen, Texas, of Lulac, the oldest Latino organization in the country.
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In a press conference next to the Bernie Beck Portal of Ford Hood, Tapia said today that “LULAC cannot rest until all the facts come to light and those responsible are prosecuted.” “Those responsible for the death of Basaldua Ruiz must be held accountable,” Lulac president Domingo García said in a statement.
In a statement Thursday, the US Army said the Army Criminal Investigation Division, which is conducting an investigation “so far,” had found no criminal evidence in the soldier’s death.
It’s unclear if Basaldua made any formal allegations of sexual harassment in the 15 months she was assigned to Fort Hood.
In this sense, García said that Basaldua “should not have suffered the treatment that his relatives have spoken about.”
For his part, Tapia pointed out that “this latest death is an all too well-known reminder of what happened to Vanessa Guillén. There can be no reason why there are soldiers still subjected to sexual harassment.”
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“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Private Ana Basaldua Ruiz and extend our condolences to her father, mother and sister,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Sullivan, commander of the 91st Engineer Battalion, which is part of the 1st Cavalry Division. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time,” added the military official.
Reports of sexual assaults increased in 2021 among the military. According to Defense Department figures, a total of 8,866 sexual assault complaints were received that year, an increase of 1,050 from the 7,816 received in 2020. The largest increase in sexual assault complaints occurred in the US Army. with 25 .6%.
Fort Hood, located about 112 kilometers north of Austin, occupies an area of 860 square kilometers.
EL UNIVERSAL (MEXICO) / GDA AND EFE AGENCY
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