PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) – American citizen Mónica de León Barba, held hostage in Jalisco, Mexico for nearly nine months, was finally released on the night of July 14. Her brother, Gustavo de León, confirmed the good news on social media.
“Hello everyone, for the first time in a long time we have good news,” he wrote, expressing gratitude to those who had supported his family during this harrowing experience. “I need to thank every single person who helped me and my family get through this experience.”
Mónica was abducted on November 29, 2022, while walking her dog in Tepatitlán, a town in the state of Jalisco. The FBI had offered a $40,000 reward for information leading to her safe return.
In April, the Bureau released two videos: one capturing Mónica moments before the crime and the other recording the incident. The footage revealed three vehicles — a silver Volkswagen Jetta, a gray Dodge Charger, and a white Chevrolet Suburban — used in the kidnapping. At least five suspects were implicated in the crime.
Born in Jalisco but a U.S. citizen residing in San Mateo County, California, Mónica had moved to Mexico in June 2022 for work. Her brother Gustavo created a Facebook page to raise awareness about his sister’s case and to urge for the full cooperation and support of Mexican state leaders until her safe return.
“For the past eight months, FBI personnel in California and Mexico have worked tirelessly with the family and with partners here and in Mexico,” said Special Agent In Charge Robert Tripp of the FBI San Francisco Field Office. “Our relief and joy at the safe return of Monica and Gael is profound. The FBI investigation is far from over, but we can now work this case knowing an innocent victim is reunited with her family. On behalf of the FBI, I want to extend my sincere thanks to our law enforcement partners, to the family, and to the San Mateo community for their continued engagement and advocacy. They never forgot Monica, and neither did we.”
