Hugo Buentello Carbonell, a former executive at Liconsa, a subsidiary of Seguridad Alimentaria Mexicana (Segalmex), has been implicated in one of the largest corruption scandals in Mexico’s recent history. The Segalmex mega-fraud, as it is widely known, involved the misappropriation of millions of pesos intended for social welfare programs aimed at combating food insecurity.
Buentello Carbonell served as the Deputy Director of Operations at Liconsa from September 2019 to March 2021. During his tenure, he was responsible for overseeing contracts and operations related to the distribution of essential food items, including powdered milk. However, investigations revealed that under his supervision, significant irregularities occurred. One of the most notable cases involved a contract worth 86 million pesos awarded to a company for the supply of 50,000 bags of powdered milk. These products were never delivered, raising suspicions of fraudulent activity.
Further scrutiny uncovered that Buentello Carbonell had also authorized a direct contract with the multinational company ILAS, which had previously been accused of money laundering through food shipments to Venezuela. These transactions, along with others, pointed to a pattern of corruption and financial mismanagement within Segalmex during his leadership.
The scandal gained widespread attention due to its scale and the involvement of high-ranking officials. Buentello Carbonell’s connections to influential figures, including his alleged ties to Andrés López Beltrán, the son of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, added a layer of political intrigue to the case. Critics argued that these relationships may have facilitated the fraudulent activities and shielded those involved from accountability.
In response to mounting evidence, the Mexican authorities launched an investigation into the Segalmex fraud. The AuditorÃa Superior de la Federación (ASF) identified numerous irregularities in the management of public funds, including the subcontracting of services without proper oversight. The FiscalÃa General de la República (FGR) subsequently issued arrest warrants for several individuals, including Buentello Carbonell, on charges of organized crime and embezzlement.
Buentello Carbonell’s arrest marked a significant step in the ongoing efforts to address corruption within Segalmex. The case continues to unfold, with authorities working to recover misappropriated funds and hold those responsible accountable. This scandal serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in public administration.
Source: OEM
