Columbus Police reported Sunday afternoon Dr. Roberto Fierro, a Palomas, Mexico, dentist, was still in the hands of men who kidnapped from his clinic at gunpoint last Wednesday afternoon. Dr. Fierro has numerous patients from the United States. "He is still in (their) custody," Columbus Police Chief Angelo Vega said, just before 2:30 p.m., Sunday. "We have confirmed that he is OK." Vega said negotiations were underway with Fierro's family for the doctor's release. That information, Vega said, was intelligence reaching his office from sources other than Mexican officials or authorities. "About 2 p.m.," Vega said of time of Wednesday's kidnapping. "Three suspects. Men. They took him at gunpoint." No bystanders were injured, Vega said. Vega said he believes this and other abductions are the work of drug cartels. "It's getting worse," Vega said. Fierro has two sons who are American citizens. Events in Palomas impact Columbus and vice-versa, as many residents of each have family or friends in the other. "When it occurred," Vega said of Fierro's kidnapping, "the emotions were pretty high (in Columbus), folks were upset. Anytime anything happens in Palomas, it upsets Columbus." Violence is not uncommon in Palomas, although there have been fewer instances than in other areas of Mexico. Palomas Mayor Palomas Mayor Estanislao "Tani" Garcia Santelis, was abducted and killed last month. "State Police in Chihuahua are working that case," Vega said Saturday
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of Garcia Santelis' death. "We have not been briefed on it." In mid-September, a 17-year-old Palomas boy was airlifted to University Medical Center in El Paso from Columbus Air Park. The Luna County Sheriff's Office, Columbus Police and medical technicians reported the teenager was shot, beaten, possibly stabbed and doused with diesel fuel, near Las Chepas. The fuel was ignited, seriously burning the boy. Several people were killed in Palomas in shootings in Spring 2007. There have since been numerous reports of shootings and abductions, which local authorities have been unable to substantiate. Kevin Buey can be reached at kbuey@demingheadlight.com.