Search for Missing Students in Mexico Suspended, Protests Going On

Family members of the missing students rally in front of the presidential palace in Mexico City demanding international pressure on the government.

MOSCOW, December 25 (Sputnik) — Search operations for 42 students still missing after being kidnapped in the Mexican state of Guerrero on September 26 have been put on hold since Wednesday, teleSUR reported Thursday, citing Mexican authorities.

The search is scheduled to resume on January 7, the Office of the General Prosecutor's assistant attorney for human rights was reported as saying by the pan-Latin American news network.

Meanwhile, family members of the missing students gathered with demonstrators in front of Los Pinos, the presidential palace in Mexico City, ahead of wider Christmas Day protests, teleSUR added.

"We ask national and international authorities to demand the Mexican government [headed by] Enrique Pena Nieto, to help us solve the problems that are growing in each municipality," one of the students' parents said in an online statement.

Friday marks three months since the disappearance of 43 students who protested against discriminatory hiring and funding practices in Iguala, Guerrero, which ignited nationwide rallies. Earlier in December, the remains of one of the missing students were identified by Mexican authorities. Another six students were reportedly killed in the initial clash between the students and a group of policemen, who were working with the assistance of local drug cartel members.