Río Negro mayor found, in good health

Santa Cruz province's Security Secretary César Chao Monzón reported that Catriel Mayor Carlos Johnston was found unharmed and in perfect health in Los Antiguos town. Río Negro's city government head had gone missing on Sunday morning.

According to Monzón, the mayor was found unharmed, however it still remained unknown why exactly he went missing.

Río Negro authorities had continued the search for Johnston on Tuesday, after the city government head went missing during the early hours of Sunday. Throughout the afternoon officials were worries as no positive results were found, nor were there any strong clues pointing to his whereabouts.

The search investigation was taking place from Añelo to Zapala, moving through Rincón de los Sauces up to the town of 25 de Mayo.

The only remaining piece of evidence officials had was a text message sent from the mayor’s phone to his wife saying “Estoy” (“I am”), and nothing else.

Before he was found, the mayor of Catriel had last been seen at 8 am on January 1st when he was filling up his car with petrol.

The investigation was being carried out after an order was issued by public prosecutor Oscar Cid.

Consequently, from early Tuesday morning the president of the local Legislature, Cristina Becerra, was placed in Johnston’s stead to lead the Mayor’s office.