Former Tabasco Security Secretary Arrested, Linked to Criminal Group ”La Barredora“
Hernán Bermúdez Requena, formerly the Secretary of Security for the state of tabasco, has been arrested in Paraguay. Bermúdez is accused of leading “la Barredora,” a criminal association involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and fuel theft (huachicol). The arrest was announced Friday night by MexicoS Ministry of Citizen Security and Protection.
Bermúdez had been a fugitive since February. He rose to prominence within the Tabasco security apparatus during the governorship of Adam Augusto López,now a Senator and coordinator for the Morena party. Despite intelligence reports compiled throughout the decade suggesting criminal activity, no action was taken against Bermúdez – referred to as ”Commander H” in reports - until now.
The arrest was the result of a joint operation involving the Ministry of National Defense, Secretary of the Navy, Prosecutor General of the Republic, National Guard, and the ministry of Security and Citizen Protection, supported by financial and intelligence contributions from the national Intelligence Center. The operation leveraged intelligence sharing facilitated by the new Law of the National Research and Intelligence system, according to the Ministry.
Authorities released a photograph of Bermúdez depicting him with long gray hair, a beige sweatshirt, and a beard. Details regarding the specifics of his journey to Paraguay have not been disclosed.
Local authorities in Tabasco had been seeking Bermúdez since February for crimes including criminal association,extortion,and express kidnapping. Military officials reported in the summer that he had escaped to Central America that same month.
The arrest places pressure on Adam Augusto López, who served as governor when Bermúdez held the position of Security Secretary. Opposition groups have questioned how López could have been unaware of his subordinate’s alleged criminal activities, notably given López’s subsequent role as Secretary of the Interior in 2021. López initially remained silent on the matter, but later gave an interview to Radio Formula, stating, “I have political adversaries from inside, outside and now those in front. As they say in the town, so great is the toad, that is how big it is the pedrada.”
President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the situation during a press conference, stating her government would not protect anyone involved, nonetheless of political affiliation. ”If the Prosecutor’s Office has any evidence against someone who is a brunette militant or not, go ahead, to continue the inquiry,” she said.