Ex-Puerto Morelos Mayor Faces Arrest Over 78M Peso Scandal

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo — A judge based in Chetumal has issued an arrest warrant for Laura Fernández Piña, the former mayor of Puerto Morelos and ex-candidate for governor of Quintana Roo, over allegations of embezzling more than 78 million pesos. The case has escalated from administrative to criminal proceedings, prompting legal action.

Judge Orders Arrest Amid Corruption Allegations

Judge Ramón Jesús Aldaz Bencomo of Chetumal issued the arrest warrant following an investigation by the Quintana Roo Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. The decision was based on sufficient evidence suggesting acts of corruption and harm to public funds.

Fernández Piña has not yet been detained due to a provisional injunction granted by the Ninth District Court in Cancún. To secure the temporary suspension, she posted bail of 127,000 pesos, allowing her to remain free while her legal status is resolved. However, the injunction is provisional, and a federal judge will rule on April 29 whether to uphold the arrest warrant or grant her permanent protection.

20-Year Ban from Public Office

In February, Fernández Piña was barred from holding public office for 20 years. The sanction, recorded in the S3 Sanctions Registry of the Quintana Roo State Comptroller’s Office on May 9, 2024, stemmed from a case initiated by the Puerto Morelos Municipal Comptroller’s Office.

The case was referred to the Administrative Justice Tribunal on January 30, 2023, after the Municipal Internal Control Office classified her actions as a “serious offense.” The Fourth Unitary Chamber of the Quintana Roo Administrative Justice Tribunal confirmed the disqualification on March 19, 2024.

Fernández Piña served two consecutive terms as mayor of Puerto Morelos, the state’s newest municipality, from 2016 to 2021.