Ex-Cozumel Official Detained on Corruption Charges

Mérida, Yucatán — Raymundo López Martínez, the former chief administrative officer of Cozumel, was detained in Mérida on September 17, accused of dangerous attacks, carrying prohibited weapons, and alleged extortion activities. The former official remains in custody at the Cereso prison in Mérida and is at the disposal of a control judge, awaiting a determination of his legal status.

According to the National Registry of Detainees, he was apprehended by elements of the Yucatán State Police minutes before 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday on the city's periférico ring road at kilometer 22.

Although he currently holds no public office, López Martínez has been linked to various municipal administrations in Quintana Roo, always under the political protection of Julio Durán Rueda. This support allowed him to occupy various positions without merit beyond political loyalty, with his last post being the chief administrative office in Cozumel during the administration of José Luis Chacón.

However, Raymundo López Martínez was removed from this last position in May of this year. His sudden departure was attributed to his failure to comply with the necessary security guidelines for the operation of the elevator located inside the Cozumel Municipal Palace, which was his responsibility to guarantee citizen safety. Precisely due to a lack of maintenance and timely attention, the elevator collapsed on March 12.

Mayor José Luis Chacón confirmed at the time that the now former official had ceased his services at the island's city hall.

In addition to the elevator incident, Raymundo López left behind a series of investigations for acts of corruption in Cozumel, just as he did during his time in the municipality of Benito Juárez.