U.S. authorities investigate Morena figure’s associates
Original reporting: Azteca Noticias
What happened
Azteca Noticias reported that people in the political circle of Morena figure Julieta Ramírez Padilla are under investigation by U.S. authorities over alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel’s operational and financial structure.
Reporting and context
People in the political circle of Morena figure Julieta Ramírez Padilla are under investigation by U.S. authorities over alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, Azteca Noticias reported. The report concerns the internal contest ahead of Baja California’s gubernatorial election, before formal campaigns had begun.
According to Azteca Noticias, Rafael Buenrostro Martín, described in the article as a political financier and organizer, was recently sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. The report said U.S. intelligence agencies accuse him of acting as a political-influence link and alleged bribe manager for the Los Mayitos faction, which the article associates with José Ángel Rivera Zazueta.
The article said Ramírez previously served as private secretary to Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila and is viewed as a possible successor. It also referred to Carlos Torres as a person in her broader political environment who is alleged to be close to regional drug-trafficking leaders.
Azteca Noticias further reported that Dulce María Mendívil García, a state undersecretary for anti-corruption and supporter of Ramírez’s candidacy, is the sister of Pedro Ariel Mendívil, a former Mexicali public-security director who was also sanctioned by U.S. authorities. The report said OFAC records allege that he accepted bribes to give the Los Rusos faction control of municipal police and enable trafficking operations.