Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday the departure of Rafael Marín Mollinedo from the directorship of the National Customs Agency. The president explained that in addition to continuing to increase customs revenue, the new executive will aim to advance digitalization processes in customs and the incorporation of new technologies. This is a strategic position not only for public finances—which received 1.4 trillion pesos last year—but also as a brake on organized crime, especially in terms of fuel smuggling. 'He will help us in Yucatán as a delegate for Welfare or Governance,' the president assured, defending that Marín Mollinedo 'did a great job' at the head of Customs due to the 'impressive' increase in revenue. Although the president dismissed electoral motives behind Marín's departure, this move comes in a context where within Morena's circle, he is perceived as one of the most prominent profiles and, therefore, a possible candidate in Quintana Roo. He had previously served as Customs director during Andrés Manuel López Obrador's term, with whom he was very close, until the military leadership change at customs. He returned in 2025, under Sheinbaum's administration. Mollinedo resigned from the Customs directorship and was appointed as a delegate for the Secretariat of the Interior in Yucatán. In his place, President Sheinbaum announced Héctor Alonso Gutiérrez, who comes from the Digital Transformation Agency. Additionally, he was accused of engaging in early campaign activities. Marín Mollinedo's departure closes a chapter in which he headed Customs on two occasions. He will assume the role of delegate in Yucatán. During her morning press conference, the president clarified that the official had requested to be in the leadership position for only one year, a time that was even exceeded.
