Mexico to investigate national guard accusations

MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s Public Safety Department says it will investigate allegations of corruption against members of the National Guard, a newly created force comprised mainly of military police.

The department said Wednesday it would not tolerate “acts that are illicit or violate in any way people’s human rights or property.”

In the western city of Guadalajara, some Guard members have been accused of taking a bribe from a motorist.

And in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz, residents filmed Guard members carting off household items apparently suspected of being stolen. Residents forced the guards to return the goods, saying they were for a party.

Mexican military forces have often been abducted or beaten by protesters. On Wednesday, protesters hit military police with cudgels outside the country’s National Palace in Mexico City.