The 34 Sailors
A resurfaced audio implicates the political nephews of ex-Secretary of the Navy Rafael Ojeda in a maritime corruption scandal involving fuel smuggling.
An audio recording that had previously gone unnoticed has resurfaced, linking the political nephews of former Secretary of the Navy Rafael Ojeda to allegations of a corruption network within maritime customs. Reporters Sebastián Barragán and Omar Fierro from Aristegui Noticias uncovered this audio, in which Rear Admiral Fernando Guerrero Alcántar allegedly reports to Ojeda about a criminal scheme involving fuel smuggling connected to Ojeda's relatives. Ojeda's response was to request a written account of these allegations.
Despite the serious nature of these allegations, the Navy has officially stated that their investigations found no irregularities. However, the Attorney General's Office of Mexico has opened a criminal case in response to Guerrero Alcántar's revelations. Notably, this rear admiral was murdered in November 2024, which adds a layer of complexity and urgency to the investigation, as these claims against high-ranking officials in the military could have significant implications for the government's integrity.
The incident raises critical concerns about corruption within the Mexican Navy and the extent of nepotism in high-ranking positions. The death of Guerrero Alcántar, following his accusations, casts a shadow over the investigation, raising questions about safety and the potential silencing of whistleblowers in Mexico. As the investigation proceeds, the public and media scrutiny will only increase, demanding transparency and accountability from military officials and the government.