Hugo Buentello Carbonell, the former deputy director of operations at Liconsa, was arrested on April 11, 2025, amid a growing scandal surrounding corruption at Seguridad Alimentaria Mexicana (Segalmex). This arrest marks a significant development in an ongoing investigation into alleged embezzlement and organized crime linked to the distribution of milk products in Mexico.
The arrest was executed by the Federal Attorney General's Office (FGR) as Buentello was reportedly leaving the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. The Public Security and Citizen Protection Secretariat (SSPC) confirmed the detention, stating that he would be transferred to a penitentiary in the country. The FGR is investigating Buentello for his alleged involvement in organized crime, particularly concerning contracts for thousands of liters of milk that were never delivered during his tenure at Liconsa from September 2019 to May 2021.
Mexicanos Contra la Corrupción y la Impunidad (MCCI) reported that Buentello signed several dubious contracts while at Liconsa, including a controversial deal with ILAS Mexico, a multinational company linked to a money laundering network. In 2019, Liconsa awarded ILAS a contract worth 320 million pesos, which was modified in February 2020 with Buentello's approval. This contract is under scrutiny as it was part of a broader pattern of irregularities identified by the FGR.
Furthermore, Buentello is also accused of signing a contract for the acquisition of 50,000 bags of powdered milk for 86 million pesos with Grupo Vicente Suárez 73N SA de CV. This company has also been implicated in the ongoing corruption investigations surrounding Segalmex, which has been accused of embezzling over 20 billion pesos due to corrupt practices.
During the first two years of Segalmex's operations, the Superior Audit Office of the Federation (ASF) uncovered irregularities amounting to 15.3 billion pesos. The findings indicate a troubling trend of mismanagement and corruption within the organization, which was established to ensure food security in Mexico.
As Buentello's arrest unfolds, it adds to a growing list of former officials implicated in the Segalmex scandal. Notably, Édgar Alejandro Armenta Peralta, a representative of Grupo Vicente Suárez, was arrested in April 2023, and René Gavira, the former director of Administration at Segalmex, was detained in December 2023. Both individuals are believed to have signed fraudulent contracts similar to those attributed to Buentello.
The allegations against Buentello and his associates reflect a troubling reality in Mexico's public sector, where corruption has long been a persistent issue. The FGR's investigations are ongoing, and as new evidence emerges, further arrests may follow.
In a related development, Buentello was linked to a process regarding contracts for the processing and dehydration of raw milk, which allegedly resulted in a deficit of 1.687 billion pesos to Segalmex. This aspect of the case underscores the severity of the allegations against him and the potential financial impact on the organization.
Segalmex, which oversees the distribution and industrialization of dairy products, has faced scrutiny since its inception. The organization was established during the administration of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and its operations have been marred by allegations of financial misconduct and mismanagement.
The continued fallout from the Segalmex scandal raises questions about the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms in place to prevent such abuses within public institutions. Critics argue that a lack of accountability has allowed corruption to flourish, undermining public trust in government agencies tasked with ensuring food security and welfare.
As the investigations progress, Buentello's case serves as a pivotal moment in the fight against corruption in Mexico. The outcomes of these proceedings may have lasting implications for public trust and governance in the country.
In conclusion, the arrest of Hugo Buentello Carbonell highlights a significant chapter in the ongoing battle against corruption in Mexico, revealing the depths of financial misconduct within Segalmex and the urgent need for reform in public institutions.
