Diego Rivera Navarro, the former mayor of Tequila, has been arraigned on suspicion of kidnapping a public servant, amid allegations of his connections to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). During a hearing held on February 10, a federal judge granted a four-month period for further investigation while affirming preventive detention. This case is particularly significant as it sheds light on the infiltration of organized crime into local politics.

At the center of the accusations is Rivera's alleged involvement in the kidnapping of Guillermo Cordero García, a candidate for the municipal presidency of Tequila, along with his running mate Julio Alejandro García Gutiérrez and a local artisan. The serious nature of these claims has led the judge to consider reclassifying the charges to organized crime with the purpose of kidnapping due to aggravating circumstances, highlighting the escalating risks in local governance where criminal networks exert influence.

Moreover, Rivera is not alone in this legal battle; two other officials from his administration, including Juan Gabriel 'N', the director of licensing, and Juan Manuel 'N', the police chief, have also been implicated in the criminal proceedings. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges Mexico faces with corruption and the entrenchment of narcotics organizations within political frameworks, evoking a need for a comprehensive approach to restore integrity and security in public service.