Background on Hilda Brown Figueredo
Hilda Brown Figueredo is a federal deputy for Morena, currently serving as a representative of the majority in Baja California’s ninth district. She has held various political positions, including president of Playas de Rosarito from 2021 to 2024, coordinator of the Morena Bienestar Census in Tecate and Rosarito, coordinator of the national consultation for the new Mexico City International Airport, promoter of voting in Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s presidential campaign, coordinator of Morena’s municipal affiliation in various regions, and coordinator of the “Todos con Andrés Manuel” group.
US Treasury Department’s Designation
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the US Department of Treasury designated Hilda Brown Figueredo along with four other individuals and fifteen companies in Mexico as part of a regional faction of the Sinaloa Cartel known as “Los Mayos.”
- Hilda Brown Figueredo
- Mario Alberto Herrera Sánchez
- Karlo Omar Herrera Sánchez
- Jesús González Lomelí
- Candelario Arcega Aguirre
These designations were made under Executive Order 14059 and Executive Order 13224, alleging that the individuals acted or intended to act on behalf of or in support of the Sinaloa Cartel, directly or indirectly.
Control of Territory and Political Influence
According to the OFAC, “Los Mayos” control significant territories in northern Baja California under the leadership of Alfonso Arzate García and René Arzate García, also known as the Arzate brothers. One of the cities under their control is the coastal municipality of Rosarito, where ex-mayor Hilda Araceli Brown Figueredo has been accused of corruption.
The US Treasury Department’s statement claims that the Arzate brothers have used the political influence of González and another politically affiliated operator, Candelario Arcega Aguirre, to corrupt and exert control over Rosarito’s municipal government. Arcega is said to have a close personal relationship with Brown, allowing him to control parts of the municipal government and appoint allies to high-level positions within Rosarito’s government.
During Brown’s tenure as Rosarito’s mayor, González and Arcega allegedly served as intermediaries between Brown and the Arzate brothers aligned with “Los Mayos.” Together, they collected extortion payments for the Arzate brothers, managed their operations, and ensured the protection of their criminal activities by Rosarito’s Public Safety Department.
Denial of Allegations
Hilda Brown Figueredo has denied any involvement with the criminal network, stating that the allegations are false. On her official Facebook profile, she wrote: “Friends, friends, to those who trust me, you are witnesses of how we have fought together for transformation, against corruption. My commitment has always been with the movement; certainly, as a consequence of this struggle, I am the target of slander that aims to discredit me.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Hilda Brown Figueredo? She is a federal deputy for Morena, currently serving as a representative of the majority in Baja California’s ninth district.
- What is the US Treasury Department’s accusation against her? The OFAC designated Brown Figueredo as part of a criminal network linked to the Sinaloa Cartel’s faction known as “Los Mayos.”
- What is the nature of her alleged involvement? The US Treasury Department accuses Brown Figueredo of acting on behalf of or in support of the Sinaloa Cartel, directly or indirectly, through political influence and corruption.
- How has Brown Figueredo responded to these allegations? She has denied any involvement with the criminal network, calling the allegations false slander.
