Former Tulum Official Rearrested Hours After Release on Bail

Tulum, Quintana Roo — A former Tulum official who was released on bail hours earlier has been rearrested, this time on charges of attempted femicide, authorities said.

Lorenzo Bernabé Miranda, who served as director of Municipal Urban Development under Mayor Diego Castañón, was taken into custody Wednesday night just before 11 p.m., according to the National Registry of Detentions.

Earlier that day, a judge in the state of Tabasco had granted him bail on separate sexual abuse charges. The new arrest stems from an attempted femicide allegation, the Quintana Roo State Prosecutor’s Office (FGE) confirmed.

Miranda was transferred to Playa del Carmen, where he is being held at the municipal detention center. The registry described him as 1.65 meters tall, of regular build, with light skin and short hair, wearing a white shirt, beige Bermuda shorts, and black sandals.

The former official was initially arrested in June 2025 after a video circulated on social media showing him allegedly authorizing irregular construction permits. He was fired from his post after being accused of leading an extortion and land-grabbing ring targeting real estate developers in Tulum, as well as issuing building licenses without required environmental impact studies or civil protection clearance.

In a brief statement, the FGE confirmed the arrest: “FGE Quintana Roo captures a male for domestic violence in Tulum. The detainee is identified as Lorenzo Bernabé N, who allegedly abused his romantic partner.”

Feminist groups criticized the case, saying it sets a bad precedent because defendants can seek favorable judges in other states to secure release.