Former Coahuila Governor Humberto Moreira arrested in Madrid, Spain

By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016

Former State of Coahuila, Mexico Governor and National President of the PRI Party, Humberto Moreira, was arrested on January 16, 2016 at the Madrid, Spain International Airport by Spanish authorities on a warrant of arrest from the United States.

Moreira served as Governor of the Mexican border state of Coahuila during 2005-2011.  Coahuila borders the state of Texas.  Moreira resigned in 2011 to become the National President of the PRI political party.  He later resigned in 2013 due to heavy criticism of leaving the state of Coahuila strapped with a $3 Billion debt.

Cabinet members of Moreira are under investigation by U.S. authorities in San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and El Paso, Texas for money laundering.

Former Coahuila Treasurer Hector Javier Villarreal Hernandez plead guilty to money laundering charges in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division, in 2014.

Former Coahuila Interim Governor Jorge Juan Torres Lopez was indicted for money laundering in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Corpus Christi Division, in Corpus Christi, Texas, but remains a fugitive.

Former Coahuila media magnate Rolando Gonzalez Trevino plead guilty to conspiracy to transmit stolen monies in interstate commerce in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, including the purchase of a broadcast television station in Eagle Pass, Texas on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Moreira’s brother, Ruben Moreira, was elected Governor of the State of Coahuila and currently serves in that post.

Moreira is scheduled to appear before a Spanish Judge to hear the charges against him.

In the United States, all persons accused of a criminal violation are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court at law.