A man identified as Francisco Javier “N”, known locally as “El Trompas”, has been arrested in Mexico in connection with the death of Spanish student Claudia Tacoronte Aguilera.

Tacoronte, 21, was fatally attacked in Cuautla, in the state of Morelos, on September 12 while she was in Mexico as an exchange student.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said on September 18 that his Mexican counterpart, Roberto Velasco, had informed him that the suspect had been arrested and had allegedly confessed to the crime.

Suspect arrested in Cuautla

Francisco Javier “N” was arrested on September 17 in Cuautla, the same municipality where Tacoronte was killed.

Mexican authorities had issued an arrest warrant for him after investigators identified him as the suspected perpetrator.

The investigation included surveillance-camera footage and information provided by members of the public. The Morelos prosecutor's office had previously said that the evidence would need to be strengthened with additional technical and investigative material before the case could proceed.

The alleged confession

The reported confession has been attributed to information communicated by Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco to Spain's Foreign Minister.

Albares said Velasco told him that the suspect “would have confessed” to responsibility for the crime.

That distinction remains important. The statement confirms what Spanish authorities say they were told by their Mexican counterparts, but a reported confession does not by itself constitute a judicial finding of guilt.

Claudia Tacoronte's final days

Tacoronte was a 21-year-old Spanish student who had travelled to Morelos for an academic exchange.

She had been studying at the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos after arriving in Mexico in August.

On September 12, she travelled to Cuautla to attend the National Medicinal Plant Fair.

According to the investigation reported by Mexican authorities, she was attacked near the Casa de la Cultura in Cuautla during an incident initially linked to an alleged attempt to steal her mobile phone.

The attack

Investigators say Tacoronte suffered fatal injuries during the attack.

Previous accounts from authorities and witnesses said she managed to reach the Casa de la Cultura and seek help after being attacked.

Authorities subsequently investigated the case as a feminicide, the Mexican legal classification used in the investigation.

The exact circumstances and motive remain part of the judicial proceedings.

The case has now reached the courts

Following his arrest, Francisco Javier “N” appeared before a judge in Cuautla.

On September 18, a judge ordered that he be formally linked to the criminal process for the alleged feminicide of Tacoronte.

The judge also ordered mandatory pretrial detention and granted the prosecution four months to complete its complementary investigation.

The decision means the criminal case will continue through the Mexican judicial system. It is not a conviction.

Evidence presented by prosecutors

During the hearing, prosecutors presented 26 pieces of evidence in support of their case.

Reports from the hearing say these included surveillance footage, witness testimony and forensic evidence.

Two women also provided information to investigators, including one who was described as an eyewitness and another who was the suspect's former partner.

The evidence will now be examined as the investigation continues.

Why the case is being investigated as feminicide

Mexican prosecutors are pursuing the case as feminicide rather than treating it solely as a robbery-related homicide.

The judge's decision to link Francisco Javier “N” to the process was based on the evidence presented by the prosecution and the legal circumstances cited during the hearing, including what authorities described as infamante injuries and the exposure of the body in a public place.

The classification is part of the ongoing criminal proceedings and does not itself establish criminal guilt.

The investigation continues

The four-month period granted by the court gives prosecutors additional time to complete their investigation.

The deadline for the complementary investigation is January 18, 2027, according to reports from the court proceedings.

Francisco Javier “N” will remain in pretrial detention while that process continues.

Spain's response

The case has received significant attention in Spain because Tacoronte was a Spanish student studying abroad.

Albares said the Spanish Embassy and Consulate in Mexico were supporting the family and working with Mexican authorities.

He also thanked Mexican authorities for the speed of the investigation following the arrest and said that all circumstances surrounding the case should be clarified.

Claudia's family travels to Mexico

Tacoronte's father travelled to Mexico following the arrest.

Her body was subsequently handed over to her family for repatriation to Spain.

Spanish diplomatic officials assisted with the procedures alongside Mexican authorities.

A case that has drawn attention in Mexico and Spain

Tacoronte's death has prompted concern among students and public demonstrations in Morelos.

She had been studying at the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos as part of an exchange programme.

The case has also led Spanish universities to review or suspend exchange arrangements connected with the university and the state, according to reports published following her death.

What is confirmed now

The current position of the case is:

• Claudia Tacoronte Aguilera, 21, died after being attacked in Cuautla on September 12.

• Francisco Javier “N”, known as “El Trompas”, was arrested in Cuautla on September 17.

• Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said Mexican authorities had told him the suspect had allegedly confessed.

• A Mexican judge subsequently linked Francisco Javier “N” to the criminal process for alleged feminicide.

• He was ordered to remain in mandatory pretrial detention.

• Prosecutors were given four months to complete the complementary investigation.

• The judicial process remains ongoing.

• There has been no conviction.

The investigation now moves forward

The arrest represents a significant development in the investigation into Claudia Tacoronte's death, but the case is not legally concluded.

The reported confession, the evidence presented by prosecutors and the judicial decision to continue proceedings will now form part of a longer legal process.

Francisco Javier “N” remains legally an accused person rather than a convicted offender, while prosecutors continue gathering evidence ahead of the next stages of the case.