World Notes MEXICO

Five years ago, when Manuel Buendia, Mexico's most influential political columnist, was gunned down, Jose Antonio Zorrilla Perez was on the scene within minutes. As head of the Federal Security Directorate (DFS), Zorrilla was Mexico's top cop, but his quick arrival seemed suspicious, since his agency did not have jurisdiction in the case. That did not stop DFS operatives from raiding Buendia's office anyway.

It was rumored that Buendia was killed because he was writing another story linking officials to corruption. Last week Mexican authorities named Zorrilla as the "presumed intellectual author" of the assassination.

Zorrilla, who quit as DFS chief in 1985, was arrested, and is expected to be charged with murder. Solving the crime would be a breakthrough for President Carlos Salinas de Gortari, who is refurbishing his image by going after people thought to be untouchable.