The Attorney General’s Office of Justice of Tamaulipas (FGJT) confirmed that “Operation Swarm” (Operativo Enjambre) is now underway in the state; this initiative is tasked with investigating acts of corruption and potential ties to organized crime involving public officials.
“Yes, there is an ongoing investigation. The Attorney General’s Office of Justice initially intervened as soon as we became aware of the situation; subsequently, the Attorney General’s Office of the Republic took jurisdiction over the matter, as it falls under federal competence,” revealed Jesús Eduardo Govea Orozco, the state Attorney General’s representative, in an interview.
What does Operation Swarm entail?
According to a column by Verónica Alamillo published in EL SOL DE ZACATECAS, Operation Swarm is a joint strategy between federal and state authorities designed to investigate local public officials who, while holding office, commit crimes—such as extortion or homicide—or collaborate with criminal groups.
This operation has led to the arrest of mayors and other officials. It began in the State of Mexico—specifically in the municipality of Nicolás Romero—following the discovery of a clandestine grave. There, Adrián Mauricio “N,” the former Director of Public Security, was formally charged and ordered to stand trial for his involvement in crimes of “express kidnapping” and extortion.
In Amanalco, Mayor María Elena “N” was sentenced to 70 years in prison for ordering the murder of her municipal trustee (síndico), in addition to her ties to a criminal group. Another notable case occurred in Santo Tomás de los Plátanos, where former Mayor María del Rosario “N” and her husband, Pedro Luis “N”—the mayor-elect—were arrested on charges of extortion.
Additionally, Diego Rivera, the mayor of Tequila, Jalisco, became one of the most recent officials to be arrested as part of Operation Swarm.
Tamaulipas Prosecutor Declines to Disclose Identities of Those Under Investigation
Regarding potential investigations into current or former mayors, or cabinet secretaries, Govea Orozco clarified that, for the time being, the state Attorney General’s Office is not pursuing lines of inquiry in that specific direction. “Not under our purview at this moment—not under the Attorney General’s Office,” he said, while noting that any status updates regarding public servants must be verified with the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Corruption. “There are some complaints; that would have to be verified with the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Corruption,” he insisted.
Prosecutor’s Office Supports Security Reinforcement in Matamoros
Regarding the security deployment in Matamoros, Govea Orozco confirmed that coordination has intensified following recent attacks on federal police officers.
“Absolutely—and not solely as a result of these incidents, though certainly, in light of what has occurred, we are reaffirming our collaboration,” he stated.
The official emphasized that the priority is to maintain institutional collaboration and follow up on the ongoing investigation. “That is the course of action we are currently pursuing: namely, institutional collaboration at all levels,” he maintained.
Finally, he ruled out the possibility that the attack poses a diplomatic risk. “No, none whatsoever,” he replied when asked about potential international implications stemming from the incident.
Mexico’s Security Cabinet confirmed the arrest of two individuals linked to the attack on federal agents from the Federal Protection Service (@spf_sspc)—an incident in which one agent was killed and another seriously wounded—and also reported the seizure of four firearms and two vehicles in Matamoros, as investigations proceed following the implementation of “Operation Swarm” (Operativo Enjambre).
Tamaulipas State Prosecutor Jesús Eduardo Govea Orozco asserted that no actions related to “Operation Swarm” are currently being carried out within the state.
He clarified that his previous statements referred specifically to the collaboration between state authorities and the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) regarding the investigation into the attack on Federal Protection agents last Sunday in Matamoros, which resulted in the death of one officer.
“No, there is no ‘Operation Swarm’ taking place in Tamaulipas; there is no connection between that operation and the specific incidents currently under investigation to which we previously referred—an investigation that, as of now, remains ongoing,” he said.
He further explained that the Tamaulipas Attorney General’s Office is closely monitoring the investigation into the death of a member of the Federal Protection Service—an agency attached to the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection—who, along with colleagues, was attacked by alleged members of organized crime after finishing their shift guarding the U.S. Consulate in Matamoros, Tamaulipas.
He emphasized that, according to official figures from the Executive Secretary of the National Public Security System, Tamaulipas ranks among the top 10 states with the lowest crime rates across key crime indicators.
“This is highly significant, as this downward trend has been sustained—particularly throughout the current year. Thus, we can state that regarding homicides and kidnappings—and even extortion, where there is still work to be done—all these indicators are showing a sustained decline,” he concluded.
Source: oem
