UIF blocks accounts of former INE president Guadalupe Taddei and electoral suppliers, Digi Mart USA News (Mexico City): Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF), part of the Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP), has added 25 individuals and 15 companies to its Blocked Persons List. The agency said it identified financial operations linked to electoral suppliers that present risk factors.
According to information published by El Universal, the blocked accounts include that of Guadalupe Taddei, former president of the National Electoral Institute (INE), as well as those of businessmen José Alfredo and Raymundo Francisco Hernández Casillas, contractors of the electoral body. The SHCP, led by Édgar Amador Zamora, said in a statement that the measure was taken based on financial analyses.
The agency clarified that inclusion on the list is preventive and precautionary and does not represent a definitive determination of responsibility. The SHCP also said it filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) so that the detected financial movements can be investigated and any possible responsibilities established.
Earlier, the UIF had reported that it maintained 70 bank accounts blocked in connection with an investigation into electoral suppliers. The case involves the brothers José Alfredo and Raymundo Francisco Hernández Casillas, businessmen linked to seven companies that have taken part in electoral material contracts: Cajas Graf, Corporativo Zeg, Formas Finas y Materiales, Seriplast de México, Diseño Reconstrucción y Comunicación, Formas Finas Fernando Fernández, and Comercializadora Grupo Selati.
Financial authorities are investigating possible schemes of simulated competition in tenders, triangulation of resources, and the use of companies with characteristics of invoice mills (factureras).
El Universal recalled that several outlets had previously reported that, during Taddei’s tenure as head of the INE, multimillion-peso contracts were awarded to various companies, including Cajas Graf, owned by contractor José Alfredo Hernández Casillas, who was captured on video with the then council president on several occasions. These events led to allegations of possible acts of corruption and conflicts of interest.
In response, the Superior Audit of the Federation (ASF) announced an investigation covering the INE, officials, state electoral bodies (OPLE), companies, and businessmen.
On Sunday, October 25, Guadalupe Taddei announced she would submit her resignation to the Chamber of Deputies the following day. Her departure led to the appointment of Blanca Yassahara Cruz García as interim council president, as well as statements from members of the General Council about Taddei’s treatment and the resignation of officials close to her.
Cruz announced that, in agreement with the other 10 electoral councilors, they will file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office over irregularities detected during Taddei’s administration, which began in early April 2023.
