The United States has denied entry to Hernán Vega Burgos, the Undersecretary of Prevention and Social Reintegration of Yucatán, due to his history of corruption and alleged links to human trafficking networks during his tenure as the head of the National Institute of Migration (INM) in the state.
Hernán Vega Burgos was denied entry to the United States, preventing him from accompanying Edith García López, the director of the Women’s Social Reintegration Center (Cereso), who was set to receive recertification from the Association of Correctional Institutions of America (ACA). Sources confirmed that Vega Burgos failed to pass the initial visa screening, sparking speculation about the reasons behind this decision. While the exact reasons remain unclear, his controversial past likely played a role.
Vega Burgos’s career has been marked by scandals and corruption allegations. Between 2007 and 2009, during his time as INM delegate in Yucatán, he was accused of protecting a human trafficking network involving women from Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil. These women were lured with false job promises, only to be forced into providing sexual services in clandestine businesses upon arrival in Yucatán.
Investigations revealed that Vega Burgos facilitated residence permits for traffickers in exchange for payments of up to $15,000 per month and free sexual services. In 2009, the escape of two victims led to a police operation that rescued more victims and captured members of the criminal network. Despite the severity of the case, Vega Burgos resigned and was never criminally charged.
Despite his tainted past, Vega Burgos was appointed Undersecretary of Prevention and Social Reintegration by Joaquín Díaz Mena, tasked with prison rehabilitation and crime prevention. This appointment has faced harsh criticism due to his corruption history and alleged criminal connections.
In November 2024, Sol Yucatán published a report detailing Vega Burgos’s background, raising concerns about his integration into the state cabinet. His appointment is seen as part of a strategy to accommodate questionable officials within the Díaz Mena administration, including former officials accused of corruption.
The US authorities’ decision to deny Vega Burgos entry casts doubt on his suitability for his current role. While the US seems to have valid reasons for their decision, he continues to hold a key position in public security in Yucatán. Neither Vega Burgos nor the Díaz Mena government have issued statements on the matter, increasing uncertainty and concern about the integrity of those managing security and justice in the state.
The US veto of Vega Burgos may be just the tip of the iceberg, revealing a deeper web of corruption and complicity yet to be fully uncovered. The state administration remains unaccountable regarding its officials’ backgrounds and key decisions affecting Yucatán’s security.
Source: El Sol de Yucatan
