The mayor of Benito Juárez, Quintana Roo, Ana Patricia “Ana Paty” Peralta de la Peña, is facing growing political and judicial pressure after U.S. authorities allegedly canceled the visas of members of her family, according to information obtained by El Financiero.
The case comes as the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) continues investigating various allegations related to the municipal administration and alleged illegal fuel-trafficking operations.
Although the investigations and visa cancellations have generated speculation about a possible connection between the two events, so far there has been no public confirmation from the U.S. government directly linking the immigration measures to the FGR investigations.
The FGR is investigating Ana Paty Peralta
According to reports circulated about the case, the FGR is analyzing at least three lines of investigation involving Ana Paty Peralta’s administration.
One is related to an alleged diversion of public funds from the municipality of Benito Juárez, whose municipal seat is Cancún.
Another line of investigation points to so-called tax fuel smuggling, a term used to describe operations involving the irregular introduction and sale of fuel through mechanisms designed to evade taxes and customs controls.
The third investigation would be related to possible ties between people close to the mayor’s political and business circles and individuals who, according to the investigations, could have connections to the Sinaloa Cartel.
These allegations form part of investigations and accusations that must be substantiated by the appropriate authorities. So far, they do not in themselves constitute a conviction or establish criminal responsibility on the part of the mayor.
The case of Rafael Marín Mollinedo
One of the names appearing in connection with the investigations is Rafael Marín Mollinedo, who previously headed the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM).
His name has been linked to an investigation identified as case 325/2025, related to alleged tax fuel-smuggling operations.
The company Ingemar S.A. de C.V. appears in this case file and is accused of introducing fuel of allegedly irregular origin through 163 railway tank cars.
According to versions related to the investigation, the volume involved would have exceeded 18 million liters of hydrocarbons.
The scale of the operation made the case one of the investigations that has brought attention to various actors connected to the importation, distribution, and sale of fuel.
However, the appearance of names connected to a federal investigation does not automatically mean that all the people mentioned are responsible for the crimes under investigation.
United States withdraws visas
Amid this context, the United States would have withdrawn the visas of Ana Paty Peralta, as well as those of her husband, Lucio Galileo Lastra Abreu, and her father-in-law, Lucio Galileo Lastra Escudero; all of this according to the aforementioned news outlet.
The measure has generated particular interest because it affects the mayor of one of Mexico’s main tourist destinations and comes while federal investigations related to her circle are underway.
However, the U.S. Department of State has not publicly disclosed the specific reasons for the visa cancellations.
Nor has it been officially reported that the immigration decisions are directly related to the investigations being conducted by the FGR in Mexico.
This distinction is important because a visa cancellation may be based on information or criteria that U.S. authorities are not required to make public.
What does this mean for Cancún?
The case once again puts the municipal administration of Cancún under the spotlight, as it is one of Mexico’s main tourist centers and one of the municipalities with the greatest political and economic weight in Quintana Roo.
The situation is also significant because Ana Paty Peralta is part of a political structure that will have to face the scenario leading up to the 2027 elections.
Any federal investigation or allegation coming from U.S. authorities may have political consequences, particularly in a state where control of the main municipalities represents an important piece for political parties.
For now, however, there is no judicial ruling determining that Ana Paty Peralta committed any of the alleged crimes.
Ana Paty Peralta under pressure heading into 2027
The visa cancellations and FGR investigations place Ana Paty Peralta in a politically complicated situation heading into the 2027 electoral process.
The mayor will have to face not only the political impact of the allegations, but also the public scrutiny that could increase as the investigations progress.
The case could become even more significant if Mexican authorities bring new accusations, judicial orders, or evidence that establishes specific responsibilities.
For the time being, the investigations remain open, and the allegations must be supported by evidence before the appropriate authorities.
The cancellation of the visas by the United States does not, by itself, constitute a declaration of guilt.
While the FGR continues its investigations, the U.S. government has not publicly disclosed the specific reasons behind the immigration measures against Ana Paty Peralta and her relatives.
The case therefore remains open and could become one of the political issues with the greatest impact in Quintana Roo heading into 2027.
Source: debate
