Diego Rivera Navarro, mayor of Tequila, Jalisco, was detained on February 5, 2026, for alleged extortion, corruption, and ties to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The arrest followed numerous complaints from business owners and citizens, including an attempt to extort 60 million pesos from José Cuervo. Rivera Navarro, from Morena, failed in a federal amparo that might have shielded him.
Diego Rivera Navarro took office as mayor of Tequila in October 2024 under the Juntos Haremos Historia coalition, including Morena, PVEM, and PT. He promised to 'set an example', but soon faced irregularity accusations. In December 2025, municipal authorities tried to charge 60 million pesos in property taxes to José Cuervo, prompting Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus to intervene and remove closure seals.
Complaints piled up: A councilor filed on October 3, 2025, alleging Rivera agreed to hand over 40 million pesos annually from public funds to the CJNG in exchange for aiding in extortions, floor fees, and kidnappings. Another merchant, in an August 5, 2025, complaint, stated the mayor called himself 'subordinate' to Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, 'El Mencho', CJNG leader, referring to him as 'the boss' and citing a concert in his honor by Los Alegres del Barranco.
President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed on February 6, 2026, in her morning briefing that she received 'many' complaints from business owners and citizens, which spurred the FGR and Security Cabinet investigation. Morena checked with the FGR and state prosecutor's office, finding no prior files against Rivera when nominating him, denying knowledge of CJNG links.
Rivera sought a federal amparo on January 6, 2026, against the Jalisco Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's file, claiming lack of information for his defense. However, he failed to respond to the Fourth District Court's requirements, leading to the amparo being declared 'not filed' on February 4. Hours later, on February 5, he was arrested with the directors of Public Security (Juan Manuel Pérez Sosa), Cadastre and Property (Juan Gabriel Toribio Villarreal), and Public Works (Isaac Carbajal Villaseñor) in an operation by SEDENA, Navy, FGR, and SSPC. He faces at least four probes for extortion, threats, and gender violence, and was sent to Altiplano prison.
He was also linked to a luxury Richard Mille RM 002 V2 Tourbillon watch, valued at 450,000 to 650,000 dollars, visible on his social media. He did not disclose his 2025 asset declaration, citing personal data protection.
