Background on the Morena Representative and Her Political Relevance
Hilda Araceli Brown Figueredo, a representative of the Morena party and former mayor of Rosarito, Baja California, has been at the center of controversy following accusations from the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Brown Figueredo, a well-known political figure in the region, has been instrumental in advocating for social change and combating corruption. Her dedication to these causes has earned her a strong following and significant influence within the Morena party.
U.S. Treasury Department’s Accusations
The U.S. Department of Treasury, through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), imposed sanctions on Brown Figueredo, Candelario Arcega Aguirre, and Jesús González Lomelí for allegedly collaborating with the Sinaloa Cartel in the Rosarito area and facilitating their criminal operations.
- Candelario Arcega Aguirre maintained a close relationship with Brown Figueredo, enabling him to exert control over parts of the municipal government and place allies in strategic positions.
- The trio was involved in protecting the criminal operations of Alfonso and René Arzate García, leaders of “Los Mayos,” in Rosarito.
- They collected extortion payments for the Arzate brothers, managed parts of their criminal operations, and ensured that Rosarito’s Public Security Directorate protected the cartel’s illicit activities.
The sanctions include the freezing of assets and accounts in U.S. territory for all three individuals, as well as a prohibition on transactions with them by U.S. persons and businesses.
Candelario Arcega Aguirre’s sanctions also targeted his company, Transporte Urbano y Suburbano del V Municipio S.A. de C.V., due to his role as a key political operative who leveraged his personal relationship with the former mayor to influence municipal government and place allies in strategic positions.
John K. Hurley, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the Treasury Department, warned that the Sinaloa Cartel is a foreign terrorist organization corrupting local officials and spreading fentanyl-related harm among Americans.
Denial of Allegations and Continued Political Activity
Following her inclusion in the U.S. sanctioned individuals list, Brown Figueredo vehemently denied the accusations and refuted claims that her accounts had been blocked.
“You all witness our joint fight for transformation and against corruption. My commitment has always been to the movement; undoubtedly, this struggle has made me a target of slander intended to discredit me.”
She emphasized her determination to continue serving as a legislator, stating, “Here I stand firm for any situation.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Hilda Araceli Brown Figueredo? She is a Morena party representative and former mayor of Rosarito, Baja California, known for her advocacy against corruption and social change.
- What are the accusations against her? The U.S. Department of Treasury alleges that she collaborated with the Sinaloa Cartel, enabling criminal operations and placing allies in strategic municipal positions.
- What are the sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department? The sanctions include freezing assets and accounts in the U.S., as well as prohibiting transactions with the sanctioned individuals by U.S. persons and businesses.
- How has Brown Figueredo responded to the accusations? She denied the allegations and refuted claims that her accounts had been blocked, emphasizing her commitment to continuing her work as a legislator.
