Mexico Senate pays senator accused of crime ties via checks after bank freeze

The Mexican Senate has confirmed that Senator Enrique Inzunza Cázarez, who faces accusations from the U.S. Department of Justice regarding alleged links to organized crime and drug trafficking, is still receiving his full salary. This payment is being made through checks, circumventing the freeze placed on his bank accounts by Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF).

The Senate's Treasury provided this information in response to a public access request, detailing how the legislative body is disbursing Inzunza's remuneration. The office of the Director General of Payment to Senators stated that due to the legal nature of legislative diets, which are considered non-waivable and not a direct payment for subordinate work, the senator continues to receive his pay.

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due to the legal nature of legislative diet, the senator continues to receive his remuneration, for which he attached copies of two checks issued in his favor.

Two checks were issued to Inzunza for the month of May 2026. The first, from BBVA, was for 66,452.89 pesos, dated May 14. The second, from Banorte, was for 66,452.90 pesos, dated May 28. This alternative payment method became necessary after Inzunza's bank accounts were frozen, preventing electronic deposits.

The Senate maintains that there is no legal impediment to paying a senator's salary unless a firm judicial resolution revokes their political rights or office. Therefore, the remuneration continues to be paid according to current regulations, albeit through a different mechanism than direct bank transfers.

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there is no legal impediment to suspend the payment of a legislator's diet as long as there is no firm judicial resolution that withdraws their political rights or the position.