Background on Hernán Bermúdez Requena
Hernán Bermúdez Requena, the former Secretary of Public Security in Tabasco, has been linked to the criminal group known as “La Barredora.” He was recently vinculated to process for the alleged crimes of criminal association, aggravated extortion, and aggravated kidnapping.
Charges and Victim
On September 23, the Fiscalía General del Estado (FGE) announced that Bermúdez Requena was vinculated to process due to his suspected involvement in the kidnapping and extortion of Tabasco-based businessman Ramón Martínez Armengol in May 2019. The victim was reportedly forced to sell stolen fuel at his gas station until he refused, leading to his alleged abduction by members of La Barredora.
Suspicions and Previous Accusations
Bermúdez Requena’s suspicions arose in 2022 when the Guacamaya Leaks collective leaked documents from the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Sedena) linking him to the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and its offshoot, La Barredora. Despite these leaks, Adán Augusto López Hernández, then Secretary of Governance and former Tabasco governor, defended Bermúdez Requena’s appointment in the state security position and dismissed the accusations as “fantasies.” Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador also supported his collaborator, claiming that the accusations were part of media attacks.
Reserved Patrimony
In parallel, the Secretaría Anticorrupción y Buen Gobierno de Tabasco reported that Bermúdez Requena’s patrimony declaration was classified as reserved, as it is connected to various investigations conducted by state and federal authorities.
The department clarified that the information has been handed over to the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) and the FGE in Tabasco, with the reservation aiming to avoid obstructing due process while ensuring transparency and access to information principles are respected.
Next Steps in the Case
With Bermúdez Requena’s vinculation to process, a new chapter begins in his case. He transitioned from being the public security chief in Tabasco during Adán Augusto López’s governorship to facing criminal accusations as a suspected leader of the CJNG in the region.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Hernán Bermúdez Requena? He was the former Secretary of Public Security in Tabasco, Mexico.
- What are the charges against him? Bermúdez Requena has been vinculated to process for criminal association, aggravated extortion, and aggravated kidnapping.
- Who is the victim in this case? The victim is Ramón Martínez Armengol, a Tabasco-based businessman.
- When were the suspicions against Bermúdez Requena first raised? Suspicions arose in 2022 following leaked documents linking him to the CJNG and La Barredora.
- What is the significance of Bermúdez Requena’s patrimony being classified as reserved? His patrimony declaration is reserved to avoid obstructing ongoing investigations while ensuring transparency and access to information principles are respected.
