Municipalities, states, and boroughs concentrate 85% of alleged embezzlement from federal treasury in 2024
A recent report reveals that 85% of the alleged federal embezzlement in Mexico for 2024 is linked to 833 municipalities, 27 states, and 14 boroughs in Mexico City, highlighting severe financial discrepancies.
In a recent audit by the Superior Audit Office of Mexico (ASF), it was reported that out of 65 billion pesos identified as missing federal resources in 2024, 85% of this alleged embezzlement can be traced back to 833 municipalities, 27 states, and 14 boroughs in Mexico City. This equates to a financial shortfall of approximately 55 billion pesos, pointing to significant gaps in the management of public funds at local and state levels.
The ASF's third delivery of audit findings unveiled that this was part of a consolidated figure from three fiscal reports, with claims of 59 billion pesos that are still unresolved or requiring clarification. David Colmenares, the auditor, emphasized that the ASF is now scrutinizing over half of the municipalities across Mexico, a significant increase from previous years when only around 150 municipalities were examined.
These findings raise critical concerns about governance and accountability in local administrations, particularly as they reveal a troubling pattern of financial mismanagement. The concentration of suspected embezzlement raises questions about the efficacy of current checks and balances and calls for improved fiscal oversight to prevent further losses of public funds.