The State Guard changed leadership in the southern metropolitan region of Tamaulipas amid 1,011 complaints and reports of alleged misconduct by police officers across the state’s 43 municipalities over the past year, 212 of which resulted in disciplinary sanctions.
Ludwing Porras Rangel has been appointed regional commander for Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira, replacing Óscar Infante Sierra, who was reassigned to the Frontera Grande region after serving nearly 20 months in charge of the State Guard in southern Tamaulipas. The coastal region serves as the state’s first security barrier against criminal gangs operating in northern Veracruz.
During Óscar Infante’s tenure, residents and business owners repeatedly called for stronger public security due to an increase in business robberies. At regional security meetings, leaders of business organizations also raised concerns about alleged unlawful detentions attributed to State Guard officers, particularly during nighttime operations.
According to complaints presented to representatives of the state government, some incidents involved alleged “express kidnappings” targeting young drivers and women, who reportedly were stopped, detained, and later released by police officers.
Regarding these allegations, Willy Zúñiga Castillo, Executive Secretary of the State Public Security System, reported that 267 of the 1,011 complaints resulted in formal proceedings before the Police Development Council.
A total of 691 cases have been concluded, while 320 remain under investigation. In addition to the 212 disciplinary sanctions, 21 cases were referred to the Internal Control Body between March 2025 and February 2026 due to allegations of more serious misconduct.
Another 191 cases were closed because investigators found insufficient evidence to substantiate the complaints.
Zúñiga stated that all complaints are reviewed by the Internal Affairs Division, and when misconduct is confirmed, officers may face administrative proceedings, suspension, dismissal from service, and, where appropriate, criminal prosecution.
Porras Rangel arrives in Tampico after previously serving in Ciudad Victoria, where he participated in several security operations. One of the most notable was the detention of José Luis Aranza, then the IMSS delegate in Tamaulipas.
Aranza was initially accused of carrying a firearm and a large amount of cash. Those allegations were later found to be unsubstantiated, and the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) subsequently filed a complaint alleging the unlawful detention of its official.
Porras Rangel will now oversee State Guard operations in Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira.
The leadership change also comes after two detainees were found dead in municipal detention cells in Tampico and Altamira, incidents that prompted investigations into detention conditions and custodial procedures.
The State Guard operates under the Tamaulipas Ministry of Public Security, headed by Carlos Arturo Pancardo Escudero.
Source: jornada
