Real Estate Mafia Figure Returns to Yucatán

Mérida, Yucatán — José Julián Cetina Burgos, an individual identified as a member of the so-called real estate mafia in the peninsula, has reportedly returned to Yucatán. His return has generated concern among local business owners, who warn of potential attempts at fraud, abuse of trust, and extortion.

According to allegations, Cetina Burgos, who was previously linked to various irregularities in complicity with Roger Rafael Aguilar Arroyo, the former mayor of Motul, claims to have "influences" and a close relationship with officials in the current state government. This situation mirrors one registered in Quintana Roo, where it was revealed that he allegedly received benefits such as the cancellation of arrest warrants and the archiving of several complaints against him.

In its edition from July 23 to September 3, 2022, Sol Yucatán exposed alleged illicit activities attributed to Cetina Burgos. Business owners have expressed unease at his presence, stating that he could attempt to pressure or blackmail them.

Based on documents and testimonies gathered by Sol Yucatán, it was alleged that the individual would take advantage of people's needs, imposing high interest rates and stripping them of properties, jewelry, and vehicles. These items were then allegedly pawned at the Monte de Piedad to obtain liquidity, in a practice associated with loan sharking.

According to reports, the "protection" he boasts of would not be limited to politicians or police commanders but would also include members of organized crime groups, who were allegedly hired to intimidate his purported victims in Quintana Roo.

In that state, he has been linked to property seizures using allegedly falsified documents. One of the most frequently mentioned cases involves Mr. Cayetano Nieto Colín, 70 years old, who allegedly lost a plot of 179 hectares near Tulum through documents bearing the stamps and signatures of notaries who were already deceased or retired. For this reason, on October 17, Cetina Burgos is scheduled to face a criminal proceeding for the crimes of document forgery and use of false documents.

Furthermore, it has been alleged that he uses his facade as a businessman and representative of the construction and real estate company Arknova, S.A. de C.V., with which he allegedly obtained public work contracts under irregular conditions. In July 2022, it was documented that this company, under his administration, was awarded a contract for work worth more than 4.3 million pesos in the municipality of Motul. Subsequent reports detailed new contracts in the same region.

Finally, there are also testimonies and documents that link him to alleged crimes of a sexual nature, which will be detailed in a separate report.