In a major blow against internal corruption and networks of institutional complicity, Puebla Governor Alejandro Armenta Mier confirmed that more than 100 public prosecutors have been removed from their posts during his administration so far.
In a radio interview, the governor stated that the measure stems from suspicions that these officials were tipping off organized crime leaders about the progress of criminal investigations, thereby allowing them to evade justice.
He reported that these actions were carried out in coordination with the head of the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE), Idamis Pastor Betancourt, under a strict “zero tolerance” policy.
Armenta Mier warned that no acts perpetuating impunity or endangering the safety of families in Puebla would be tolerated.
During his remarks, the governor highlighted the severity of collusion within law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, noting that information leaks have hindered key arrests in the state.
“An investigation file is being built here, and the criminals are already being tipped off. We told the prosecutor—and she has acted on it—that over 100 public prosecutors have been replaced so far during our administration,” the governor asserted.
Armenta extended this warning to the Judiciary and other areas of public administration, urging both the public and institutional bodies to report any suspicious behavior by judges or magistrates.
“If a state judge or magistrate tips off a criminal that an arrest warrant is about to be issued, it must be reported, because some criminals have evaded arrest due to complicity rooted in years past,” he declared.
These personnel changes are not limited solely to the State Attorney General’s Office. Alejandro Armenta revealed that the administrative cleanup has reached various levels of the government apparatus, resulting in the removal of at least 300 public servants following investigations formalized through the Secretariat for Anti-Corruption and Good Governance.
Despite the decisive nature of these removals, Alejandro Armenta emphasized that the fight against corruption would be carried out in strict adherence to the legal framework, ensuring that disciplinary proceedings do not turn into media spectacles that infringe upon individual rights.
“This is not a game, nor will we stage a spectacle to arrest a public servant. No—we must uphold dignity, the presumption of innocence, and due process—but we will act decisively,” he remarked.
The current head of the local Prosecutor’s Office, Idamis Pastor Betancourt, assumed the role in December 2024 for a seven-year term, with a mandate to modernize and purge the institution.
As part of the renewal strategy accompanying these personnel changes, the state government recently authorized the recruitment of 100 new public prosecutors.
Unlike in previous administrations, these individuals have undergone background and reliability checks prior to receiving intensive training and being gradually assigned to Justice Centers, aiming to safeguard the agency against future networks of complicity and criminal leaks.
Source: jornada
