Background on the Issue
The Nayarit government, in collaboration with the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR), has successfully recovered a significant amount of land that was illegally held by private individuals. These lands, totaling nine million 619,454 square meters with an estimated commercial value of over 50 billion pesos, were part of a larger goal set by the current administration.
Details of the Recovery
During a press conference at the Federal Prosecutor Specialized in Organized Crime (FEMDO) in Mexico City, Governor Miguel Ángel Navarro Quintero announced that these recovered lands represent 93% of the administration’s target. He further explained that once these lands are fully accessible to public services, their combined value will reach approximately 100 billion pesos.
These lands were acquired through various illegal acts between 2005 and 2021, leading to judicial proceedings against individuals, private companies, and several former governors, including Ney González Sánchez (currently a fugitive) and Roberto Sandoval Castañeda (imprisoned in El Rincón for other crimes).
Investigation and Legal Actions
Cristina Reséndiz Durruti, the FGR’s Specialized Control Prosecutor, mentioned that their investigation focused on federal crimes such as money laundering, corruption of justice, and violations of the Amparo Law. Petronilo Díaz Ponce Medrano, the Fiscal General of Nayarit, added that these illicit acquisitions involved relatives of the former governors, local and federal officials, as well as businesses established in Nayarit and outside the state.
The recovered lands belonged to the Bahía de Banderas Fideicomiso, encompassing coastal strips in the municipalities of Bahía de Banderas and Compostela, with several located in tourism development areas targeting high-income tourists.
The Investigation Process
In January 2022, the Nayarit government initiated an investigation into the real estate holdings of the Bahía de Banderas Fideicomiso 184 (FIBBA), specifically focusing on land sales from 2005 to 2021. Upon discovering irregularities, the “Megaoperativo Nuevo Nayarit” strategy was implemented, resulting in a series of penal, civil, mercantile, and administrative actions that enabled the recovery of this misappropriated property.
Specifically, illicit commodity agreements, deposits, leases, and sales were identified along with multiple simulated legal acts favoring individuals and officials.
Some of the recovered lands include Chaparrales 1, Boca de Becerros, Boca de Becerros sur in Playón del Llano; Manitas and Venados in Bahía de Banderas; Polígono de Marcos in Compostela, among others.
Consequences and Future Plans
With the support of the FGR, investigations were initiated for suspected fraudulent administration and other crimes against a network of material actors who caused damage to Nayarit’s state property.
The recovered fixed assets led to the creation of the Fondo Soberano Nuevo Nayarit (Fosonn) and the Fondo de Ahorro Nayarit (FAN), dedicated to providing dignified retirement for Nayarit workers.
These assets will be utilized in business plans with the private sector, focusing on developing tourism projects where the Fondo will retain ownership.
Petronilo Díaz Ponce Medrano, the Nayarit fiscal, stated that they requested the freezing of bank accounts totaling 7.213 billion pesos belonging to 45 individuals and 82 legal entities.
Currently, 359 bank accounts have been secured, and their transactions are being analyzed by the Federal Criminal Intelligence Center of the FGR.
The investigations also led to the search of several public notaries linked to these illicit operations, revealing alterations in registrical books and official documents. This confirmed “a carefully planned scheme to simulate legal acts and deprive the state of valuable assets.”
José Gabriel Camarena Morales, the Coordinator General Jurídico of the Nayarit government, noted that in 90% of the cases, individuals illegally holding these originally Fideicomiso properties signed reparative agreements.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was recovered by the Nayarit government? Over 961 hectares of land with an estimated commercial value of over 50 billion pesos.
- Why were these lands recovered? They were illegally held by private individuals through various acts between 2005 and 2021.
- Who was involved in these illicit acquisitions? Relatives of former governors, local and federal officials, as well as businesses.
- What strategy was implemented for recovery? The “Megaoperativo Nuevo Nayarit” strategy, resulting in various legal actions.
- What will be done with the recovered assets? They will fund dignified retirement for Nayarit workers and support tourism development projects.
- How many bank accounts were secured? 359 bank accounts belonging to 45 individuals and 82 legal entities.
