Ken Salazar: I never knew about payments to the governor of Sinaloa

The cost of corruption in 2025

Corruption in Mexico cost an average of 3,865 pesos per citizen in 2025, Coparmex reported. The total losses are close to 17 billion pesos, according to the employer organization.

The data comes from the #DataCoparmex survey and the National Survey of Government Quality and Impact (ENCIG) of Inegi. The report warns that this phenomenon discourages investment, increases operating costs and destroys legal certainty.

40.2% of Coparmex member companies reported having been victims of corruption in the last year. The highest incidence was recorded at the municipal level with 62.2%, followed by the state level with 57.8% and the federal level with 42.8%.

The Inegi revealed 98.9% impunity in crimes that affect economic units. Practices such as bribery, extortion and unjustified delays are rarely reported or investigated.

Mexico fell to 141st place out of 182 countries in the 2025 Corruption Perception Index, with only 27 points out of 100.

Given this scenario, Coparmex reiterated its willingness to collaborate with the three levels of government on regulatory reforms and integrity mechanisms. He stressed that an effective rule of law is urgently needed to regain confidence and strengthen the country’s competitiveness.

Fraud in a funeral home in Ciudad Juárez

The Northern Zone District Prosecutor’s Office confirmed this Monday the connection to the process of the company Sistema a Futuro Premiere S. A. de C. V., known as Funeraria Protecto Deco, for the crime of fraud. The case occurred in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua.

The Public Ministry, through the Specialized Unit in Crimes against Peace, Safety of People and Public Faith, presented evidence that proves the probable responsibility of the morality represented by Dalila G. H. and/or Fernando Q. O.

Ashes that did not belong to the family member

The victims contracted the funeral service with Protecto Deco and received the ashes of their relative’s body. However, later, at the Prosecutor’s Office facilities, they were informed that the body of their loved one was found in the “Plenitud” crematorium. 386 uncremated remains were found there on June 26, 2026.

The investigation showed that undue profits were obtained through deception, causing financial detriment to the victims.

Deadline for further investigations

The Control Judge set a period of three months for complementary investigations.

The reasons behind legal forgiveness

Surprisingly, María Felicia Jiménez Lavie granted legal forgiveness to her husband, Víctor Rodríguez Padilla, former director of Pemex who was facing a trial for attacks at home.

The forgiveness was formalized through a document presented before the Control Judge, Adriana Correa Ortiz. Jiménez Lavie, an engineer of Cuban origin, expressed her desire to stop the judicial files in Morelos and Mexico City. He argued that he seeks to avoid the emotional exhaustion of his minor children and that he has achieved a genuine reconciliation.

The decision took both the Prosecutor’s Office and the defense by surprise. The evidence in the case had recently been strengthened, including a video spread on social networks that showed the physical assault that occurred last March within a subdivision of the municipality of Emiliano Zapata.

In the document, the victim indicated that continuing with the criminal investigation against her will would represent institutional revictimization, damaging the stability and dynamics of her family unit. Given this withdrawal, the judge set a hearing for this Tuesday at 8:00 a.m., in which Jiménez Lavie must formally appear to recognize his signature and ratify the writing.

If the legal procedure is completed, the former federal official would obtain his immediate release from prison to continue the process in freedom. The decision is based on the criterion of privileging the harmonious development and unity of the home.