New Arrest Warrant for Former Tabasco Security Secretary

The Attorney General's Office of Tabasco (FGE) has served a new arrest warrant against Hernán Bermúdez Requena, former Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection of Tabasco, for his alleged responsibility in the crime of enforced disappearance of persons. According to state authorities, the new mandate was granted by a Control Judge after analyzing the evidence presented by the Public Ministry. Where is the former Secretary of Security of Tabasco now? Bermúdez Requena, also known as “Commander H” and/or “The Grandfather”, is currently confined in the Federal Penitentiary No. 1 Altiplano, where he faces other criminal proceedings. The FGE reported that, as part of the investigations related to enforced disappearances, 19 arrest warrants have been issued and 10 people have already been linked to the process, although the number of victims is not specified. The institution reiterated that the accused is presumed innocent until a guilty sentence is handed down by the competent judicial authority. The case of Hernán Bermúdez has gained national relevance, as it involves a former high-level official accused of being the presumed leader of the criminal group known as “La Barredora”, an organization attributed with various high-impact crimes in the entity. This new judicial order adds to the processes the former secretary already faces. Locally, he is accused of criminal association, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated extortion within criminal case 213/2025, derived from investigations initiated by state authorities. On March 24, the FGE concluded the complementary investigation phase against the former official, opening a 15-day period for the Public Ministry to present the formal accusation and advance to the intermediate stage of the criminal process. According to Vice Prosecutor for Common Crimes, Gilberto Melquiades Miranda Díaz, sufficient testimonies and evidence are available to sustain a solid case, including statements from victims and protected witnesses. More crimes of Hernán Bermudez are being investigated. The intermediate stage, which could last between three and four months, will be crucial to define which evidence will be admitted in a potential oral trial, where the former secretary's criminal responsibility will be determined. Additionally, authorities had already confirmed the existence of new lines of investigation, including the possible disappearance and execution of police officers, as well as additional arrest warrants yet to be served. In parallel, a federal process is also open by the Attorney General of the Republic.