Background on the Investigation and Key Players
Hugo Bello Ocampo, the delegate of the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) in Morelos, announced that eight mayors from Morelos are under investigation for various crimes, including possible connections to criminal organizations.
The Investigation Details
This investigation emerged after the revelation that mayors from Cuautla and Atlatlahucan met with a purported leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. Bello Ocampo mentioned that there are “about half a dozen” investigations against current administration mayors, emphasizing that these probes target local officials.
He further explained that the investigated mayors belong to the current administrations, and local intelligence data along with physical spaces have been provided to federal agents to facilitate their work.
Focus on Specific Cases
Bello Ocampo detailed the investigation into Cuautla’s mayors, Jesús Corona Damián and Agustín Toledano Amaro. Both were videotaped meeting with a purported Sinaloa Cartel leader in the eastern region. These mayors are now under scrutiny by the FGR’s Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime Investigation.
“I trust in and respect the law; I don’t know if these mayors have already presented themselves, but I assure you that I expect the investigations to make concrete progress according to the law,” Bello Ocampo added.
Growing Concerns of Corruption
The issue of mayors and local police officers’ alleged ties to drug trafficking has become increasingly common.
In 2019, Alfonso Durazo, then Secretary of Security, stated that at least 50 municipal police officers were colluding with drug cartels.
More recently, Norma Otilia Hernández, while serving as Chilpancingo’s mayor for Morena, was found meeting with the leader of the Los Ardillos criminal group. Although Morena expelled her, a judge later reinstated her party membership.
José Murguía, the mayor of Teuchitlán, faces allegations from the FGR for assisting the Jalisco Cartel in operating the Izaguirre ranch, used for criminal training purposes.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Hugo Bello Ocampo? He is the delegate of the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) in Morelos, Mexico.
- What crimes are the eight mayors under investigation for? They are accused of various offenses, including possible links to criminal organizations.
- Which mayors are under investigation? Jesús Corona Damián (Cuautla), Agustín Toledano Amaro (Atlatlahucan), and José Murguía (Teuchitlán) are among those investigated.
- What is the nature of their alleged connections to drug cartels? The mayors are accused of meeting with purported cartel leaders and providing assistance to criminal organizations.
- What is the significance of this investigation? This investigation highlights growing concerns about corruption and collusion between local officials and drug trafficking organizations in Morelos.
