Mexican governors Alfonso Durazofrom Sonora, and Americo Villarrealfrom Tamaulipas, do not have a special entry permit to the United States, says the newspaper La Opinión, which requested information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the subject.
The American media Los Angeles Times reported on January 3 that Donald Trump’s government is investigating Durazo and Villarreal and that both of their visas were revoked, although they are in a program known as significant public benefit parole.
This “parole” is usually reserved for people who are cooperating with United States authorities and allows them to testify before a grand jury to mitigate the consequences of actual or pending charges against them or against third parties.
The permit allows people to be on US soil, even without a visa, as long as it represents “a recognized benefit to the government, public interest or national security.”
Both Durazo and Villarreal rejected that their visas had been revoked.
Journalist Jesús García, from La Opinión, states that he asked the DHS if these governors have this “parole” or special entry permit.
The DHS response, he points out, came via email, and was as follows: “Francisco Alfonso Durazo Montaño and Américo Villareal Anaya have not been (benefited from such permission)”.
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According to the Los Angeles Times, Durazo is being investigated for alleged links to organized crime, while Villarreal is being investigated for fuel trafficking, better known as huachicol.
Both officials rejected the accusations against them and said they acted with transparency.
The Times report is released after, last April, the US Department of Justice accused the current governor with a license from Sinaloa, Ruben Rocha Moyaalong with nine other state officials, to help the Sinaloa Cartelspecifically to the “Los Chapitos” faction, to introduce fentanylheroin, cocaine and methamphetamine in the United States in exchange for millions of dollars in bribes and electoral favors.
The Mexican government demands proof of its allegations from the United States.
L.L.
