Mexico's Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) has detected an alleged diversion of over 13 billion pesos in a Seguridad Alimentaria Mexicana (Segalmex) maintenance contract in Zacatecas. This brings the total to seven criminal proceedings against the entity for corruption. Irregularities involved unperformed work despite massive payments.
The FGR identified irregularities in a contract awarded in August 2019 via direct adjudication to Inmobiliaria Terbix for building conservation in at least 29 states, including Zacatecas. The probe found no planned adaptations were made, with no modifications, and only two metal container-type structures built, one unfinished. Despite this, 13.8 million pesos were paid.
This accusation raises Segalmex's criminal proceedings to seven for various corruption offenses, according to Reforma news agency. Created in 2019 to ensure affordable basic food supply, the entity faced audits revealing simulated contracts, ghost company payments, and unsupported operations.
The Auditoría Superior de la Federación (ASF) assesses patrimonial damage over 15 billion pesos, though not all is direct diversion. In December 2023, the FGR arrested former administrative director René Gavira for embezzlement exceeding 20 billion pesos and buying junk bonds with 100 million pesos. In April 2025, ex-Liconsa Operations subdirector Hugo Buentello was detained.
Following the scandal, the government dismantled Segalmex's original structure, shifting functions to Diconsa and Liconsa. Under President Sheinbaum's administration, it became Alimentación para el Bienestar.
