Background and Relevance of Genaro García Luna
Genaro García Luna, the former Secretary of Public Security in Mexico, and his wife, Cristina Pereyra, have been sentenced in a Miami-Dade court for their involvement in a significant corruption scandal. The case, which spans two federal administrations under Felipe Calderón and Enrique Peña Nieto, has attracted attention due to its magnitude—almost $2.5 billion—and the high-profile individuals implicated.
Investigation and Legal Actions
The investigation began in early 2019, when Santiago Nieto took charge of the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF). The probe led to a civil lawsuit in September 2021, initially claiming $250 million in damages before the Florida court. In Mexico, the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime targeted 61 individuals suspected of embezzlement, illicit financial operations, and organized crime.
Under Nieto’s leadership at the UIF and later under Pablo Gómez, the claim amount grew to $750 million. Due to U.S. regulations allowing up to three times the claimed amount, the potential recovery could reach nearly $2.25 billion. The investigation continued until the end of the last priísta administration in November 2018.
Key Findings
- During Peña Nieto’s last term, there were suspicious purchases of surveillance communication equipment by the now-defunct Federal Police and the then-Attorney General’s Office.
- The Federal Police spent 87 million pesos on a collection and analysis software system.
- The Attorney General’s Office allocated 67 million pesos for an active tactical intelligence system, G12-S.
- Both software systems were imported via UTX Technologies LTD (Cyprus) and Verint Systems LTD (Israel), with PQ Servicios e Infraestructura SA de CV as the Mexican vendor.
Implications and Unanswered Questions
The surveillance equipment, potentially inherited by the National Guard and the Attorney General’s Office, remains a cause for concern. Questions linger regarding its current usage and the services provided to closely-tied companies, once referred to as part of a “super police” network.
Secondary Effects: Upcoming Elections
Predictions: Despite lackluster campaigns and electoral promotion efforts, more than 20% of registered voters are expected to cast their ballots on June 1, driven by the proliferation of political structures.
