Rear Admiral Fernando Farías Lagunas—an officer in the Mexican Navy who had been a fugitive since August of last year after being accused of belonging to a corruption ring linked to “fiscal fuel smuggling”—was arrested this Thursday in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the purpose of extradition, federal sources confirmed.
He is the second high-ranking Navy commander to be detained for his alleged involvement in this network for the trafficking of hydrocarbons originating from the United States. This arrest follows the detention in September of his brother, Vice Admiral Manuel Roberto Farías Laguna, along with a dozen other officials who allegedly facilitated the entry of illegal fuel into the country through schemes involving simulated imports.
It is worth noting that the Navy permanently discharged the Vice Admiral—via administrative proceedings—on December 18, and his brother, the Rear Admiral, on September 11.
On social media, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), Omar García Harfuch, announced the arrest—though without revealing the individual’s identity—noting that the capture was achieved thanks to mechanisms for information exchange and international cooperation in security matters.
“We appreciate the collaboration of the authorities in Argentina and of UNIPOL in that country. The Government of Mexico reaffirms its commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring that impunity does not prevail,” he emphasized.
He highlighted the participation in this operation of the Navy itself—through its Naval Intelligence Unit; the Attorney General’s Office (FGR)—acting via Interpol Mexico and the FEMDO; and the SSPC—acting through the National Intelligence Center.
Fernando Farías was the subject of a Red Notice issued by Interpol. At the time of his arrest—according to federal sources—he was in possession of a forged Guatemalan passport. His detention is for the purpose of extradition; an identification hearing will be conducted by authorities in Argentina to proceed with the corresponding legal procedures.
