Fidel Herrera Beltrán, former governor of Veracruz, passed away at the age of 76 on Friday, May 2. His son, Javier Herrera Borunda, confirmed the news through a social media post. Herrera Beltrán served as governor of Veracruz from 2004 to 2010 for the PRI. Born in the municipality of Cosamaloapan on March 7, 1949, he was an active member of the political party since the 1970s, when he was also the youth director of the PRI in Veracruz.
In 2003, Herrera Beltrán was the PRI representative to the Federal Electoral Institute (IFE, now INE) and later a candidate for governor of Veracruz, being elected in 2004. In 2017, he was accused by then-governor Miguel Ángel Yunes Linares of having received $12 million from the Gulf Cartel when he was a candidate for governor. These accusations were based on testimonies gathered by the Court of Austin, Texas. In response to these accusations, Herrera Beltrán resigned from his position as consul of Mexico in Barcelona in January 2017.
In addition to his political career, Fidel Herrera Beltrán was described by his son as an exceptional father and husband, a brilliant academic, and a generous human being. His son highlighted his tireless struggle, integral leadership, and deep love. Within the PRI, he held various positions, such as secretary of the CEN of the political group in 1975 and federal deputy of the LVII Legislature from 1997 to 2000. Both he and former Veracruz governor Javier Duarte faced accusations of mismanagement in medical treatments during their respective administrations.
