Ex-Navy Secretary Cited in Corruption Case Fails to Appear for Questioning

A former Secretary of the Navy, Admiral (Ret.) José Rafael Ojeda Durán, was summoned to testify in the ongoing corruption case involving ex-counter admiral Fernando Farías Laguna, who faces charges related to fiscal fuel theft in maritime customs. However, Ojeda Durán failed to appear for the hearing.

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I requested that he be summoned and that he be present. That summons was made by the Attorney General's Office, but it turns out they cannot locate him, nobody knows where he lives now. I requested it, it was one of the pieces of evidence I requested for him to be present.

Epigmenio Mendieta, the lawyer representing Farías Laguna, stated that the Attorney General's Office (FGR) informed the control judge, Alejandra Ramírez de la Vega, that they were unable to locate the former secretary. Mendieta had requested Ojeda Durán's presence, noting that he is the uncle of the Farías Laguna brothers and his testimony was sought as evidence in the proceedings where his client was formally charged with organized crime for hydrocarbon-related offenses.

Mendieta revealed that one of the justifications the judge used to close the hearing to the press was the expected appearance of a high-ranking official like a secretary of state. "Part of the argument the judge used at that time for the hearing to be closed and for us not to make any statements was that an official of that nature would appear. Today I am in a position to comment on it because the hearing has already closed," he indicated.

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Part of the argument the judge used at that time for the hearing to be closed and for us not to make any statements was that an official of that nature would appear. Today I am in a position to comment on it because the hearing has already closed.

Furthermore, Mendieta disclosed that significant names were mentioned during the closed-door session, including Andrés Manuel López Beltrán, son of former President López Obrador. He also mentioned a protected witness who provided information about piers 289 and 290 belonging to a close associate of a prominent politician from Tabasco. These revelations add further layers of intrigue to the unfolding corruption investigation.

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Two names, one as relevant as when a ship gets stuck in Guaymas and one of the witnesses says they are going to call Andy by phone to get it unstuck.