Vigilante Video Divides Mexico

A video of five teenage boys being beaten by vigilantes and forced to French-kiss each other has sparked a debate on crime and justice in Mexico. Officials and human rights organizations have reacted with outrage to the abuse of the alleged thieves, but many ordinary Mexicans fed up with soaring crime have voiced approval, the Los Angeles Times reports.

"Let's be honest. The majority of us are happy with what happened to these rotten kids," wrote a commentator in a Mexican newspaper. "We must guard our houses and be prepared." Four suspects have been arrested for the assaults, but police say the teens have refused to cooperate with the investigation. One teen, tracked down by a journalist, said the group of boys was handed over to vigilantes inside the state prosecutor's headquarters. (More Mexico stories.)