In Tequila, Jalisco, following the arrest of Mayor Diego 'N' for alleged ties to organized crime, particularly with La Familia Michoacana, tourism sector workers burned red vests. They said the detained politician had forced them to wear the garments. Video footage shows municipal employees cutting and throwing the clothing on the ground. According to local media, the employees stated that wearing the vests was not voluntary and that the demand came from the municipal government. They also denounced improper charges, asserting that they had to pay for the vests and tourist bracelet fees, which increased from 25 to 50 pesos per visitor. For private tour guides in Tequila's center, Diego Rivera forced them to wear a red vest as a symbol that they had paid their fee. Today, they broke and threw them in front of the municipal palace. In a coordinated operation by federal forces in Jalisco, Diego 'N', mayor of Tequila, and three of his municipal officials were arrested, reported the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch. Along with the Tequila mayor, three other municipal officials were also arrested: Juan Manuel Pérez Sosa, Director of Public Security; Juan Gabriel Toribio Aguilar, Director of Cadastre and Property Tax; and Isaac Carbajal, Director of Public Works. Through his official X account, García Harfuch stated that these actions are part of the National Strategy against Extortion and the fight against corruption, instructed by President Claudia Sheinbaum. According to the federal official, the detentions by Tequila authorities are part of the 'Swarm' Operation, in which three other mayors from the State of Mexico had previously been arrested for alleged ties to organized crime, particularly with La Familia Michoacana. The State of Mexico residents are María Elena Martínez Robles, former mayor of Amanalco, who was arrested in November 2024 for her alleged participation in the murder of municipal syndic Miguel Lara de la Cruz. Also arrested on January 23, 2025, was María del Rosario 'N', former mayor of Santo Tomás de los Plátanos, on charges of extortion and alleged ties to the criminal group La Familia Michoacana. Likewise, her husband, Pedro Luis 'N', mayor of Santo Tomás de los Plátanos, who had fled after taking office, was arrested on February 8, 2025. The 'Swarm' Operation has focused on investigating possible corruption networks and illegal practices in municipal governments based on citizen complaints and intelligence work. Regarding the Tequila mayor, he is suspected of being involved in extortion schemes against beer and tequila companies in Jalisco, as well as his alleged ties to a cell of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). According to federal reports, Rivera Navarro heads a corruption network within the City Hall to extort local merchants and businessmen, coupled with the embezzlement of public funds. Morena's Response. The state leadership of Morena in Jalisco took a position this Wednesday following the arrest of Diego N., mayor of Tequila, and affirmed that no one is above the law, while expressing its respect for ongoing investigations and due process. In an official statement released from Guadalajara, the State Executive Committee of the party stated that it trusts that the relevant authorities will act in accordance with established legal procedures and that only justice will determine if there are responsibilities and how they should be assumed. The movement believes and defends the Rule of Law. In this and in any case, our position is clear and consistent: no one is above the law. Morena Jalisco emphasized that the person under investigation has the right to a defense and to use the legal resources provided by law to present what they consider pertinent, so it insisted on the need to guarantee due process during the inquiries. In its statement, the party assured that it will be respectful of the institutions and the investigations carried out by the authorities, without interfering in them. 'It will be justice, and only justice, that will determine responsibilities, which must be assumed in accordance with the law, without privileges or exceptions,' the statement said. Finally, the state leadership reiterated that legality, justice, and transparency are part of the principles it considers inalienable within its political movement, in reference to the case involving the mayor of Tequila.
