Background on the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC)
The Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC), led by Omar García Harfuch, has raised concerns over a significant number of judge decisions favoring suspected criminals. This situation has led to over 190 instances where judges have supported the release, transfer, or definitive exit of individuals under investigation for serious crimes.
Key Findings
- 193 Determinations: The SSPC has identified nearly 200 decisions from judicial bodies that have favored or attempted to benefit suspected criminals with transfers, releases, and definitive exits.
- 164 Exits Due to Changed Custody Measures: These judge decisions have resulted in 164 exits through changed custody measures and 2 definitive exits, releasing more than 100 offenders back into society.
- 27 Transfers to Lower-Security Prisons: Despite the Social Reinsertion and Prevention Service within the SSPC deeming these transfers unfeasible, 27 suspects were moved to lower-security prisons without following proper legal procedures.
- Serious Crimes Involved: The suspects were detained for crimes such as kidnapping, illegal deprivation of liberty, homicide, possession of exclusive military firearms, and various high-impact offenses.
Judges Under Scrutiny
Among the judges mentioned in the morning press conference are:
- Judge Gregorio Salazar Hernández, affiliated with the Federal Penal Court in the State of Mexico, who has resolved measures facilitating the release of individuals accused of organized crime, illicit funds operations, embezzlement, and corruption.
- Judge Silvestre Peña Crespo, with five transfer resolutions between CEFERESOS for detainees linked to high-impact crimes like kidnapping, illegal deprivation of liberty, corruption of minors, weapon possession, and other offenses.
- 42 Judges with 164 Exits: The top two judges are Enrique Hernández Miranda from Sonora with 58 resolutions and Aníbal Castro Borbón, also from Sonora, with 15 resolutions.
Criminal Organizations and Releases
From October 2024 to April 2025, 26 individuals belonging to various criminal organizations such as the Sinaloa Cartel, Golfo Jalisco, Familia Michoacana, Zetas, and Los Rojos were released.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC)? The SSPC is a Mexican government agency responsible for ensuring public safety and security, led by Omar García Harfuch.
- What are the concerns raised by the SSPC? The SSPC has identified nearly 200 instances where judge decisions have favored or attempted to benefit suspected criminals, leading to releases, transfers, and definitive exits.
- Which judges are under scrutiny? Judges Gregorio Salazar Hernández, Silvestre Peña Crespo, Enrique Hernández Miranda, and Aníbal Castro Borbón are among those mentioned for their decisions favoring suspected criminals.
- What types of crimes are the suspects accused of? The suspects were detained for serious offenses, including kidnapping, illegal deprivation of liberty, homicide, possession of exclusive military firearms, and various high-impact crimes.
- How many individuals were released from different criminal organizations? Between October 2024 and April 2025, 26 individuals belonging to various criminal organizations were released.
The SSPC emphasizes the unacceptable nature of these judge decisions, which undermine the efforts of security personnel risking their lives to apprehend criminals.
