A federal judge in Mexico has provisionally suspended the arrest warrant against Hernán Bermúdez Requena, the former Secretary of Public Security of Tabasco, who is accused of having ties to a violent criminal faction known as El Barretero or “The Sweeper.” The group allegedly operates under the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the country’s most powerful and brutal drug trafficking organizations.
Bermúdez, often referred to by his alias “Commander H,” has been on the run since January 26, when he reportedly fled Mexico. In response, Interpol issued a red notice, placing him on the organization’s international wanted list—making him a fugitive across 190 member countries.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Bermúdez has managed to secure a temporary legal shield. On April 2025, he filed for amparo—a form of constitutional protection—through the Twelfth District Court in Baja California, led by Judge Alfonso Javier Flores Padilla in Tijuana. The court granted him a provisional suspension, effectively pausing the arrest warrant pending further review.
As part of the court’s conditions, Bermúdez was required to post a bond of 16,000 Mexican pesos (around USD $900) to maintain the legal protection while the matter remains under judicial consideration.
Judge Flores Padilla has scheduled the incidental hearing to determine whether the suspension should be made permanent for August 1, 2025. According to court sources, the final decision has been delayed because several official reports from the relevant authorities—those listed as responsible for initiating the arrest—have not yet been submitted.
The arrest warrant stems from allegations that Bermúdez Requena maintained illicit connections with “The Sweeper,” a regional enforcement wing affiliated with the CJNG. This faction is suspected of carrying out targeted killings, extortion, and intimidation across southern Mexican states, particularly Tabasco and Veracruz.
While the details of Bermúdez’s alleged involvement have not been fully disclosed to the public, authorities believe he may have leveraged his position to shield or collaborate with CJNG operatives. If confirmed, such collusion would represent a deep breach of public trust in one of Mexico’s most volatile security landscapes.
The Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) recently confirmed the international pursuit of Bermúdez and the activation of Interpol’s red notice. However, there has been no public confirmation of his exact location since his disappearance earlier this year.
Legal analysts note that the amparo process in Mexico often serves as a tool for individuals accused of serious crimes to delay detention or extradition, particularly when there are claims of due process violations or insufficient evidence. However, it does not mean exoneration or immunity from eventual prosecution.
This case continues to draw national attention, not only because of Bermúdez’s high-profile position in law enforcement, but also due to the broader implications of corruption within the security apparatus in Mexico. His alleged ties to the CJNG—an organization known for its paramilitary structure, advanced weaponry, and open warfare with rival cartels and state forces—highlight the continuing challenges the Mexican government faces in rooting out organized crime influence in public institutions.
As of now, Bermúdez remains a fugitive under the protection of a provisional court order. Whether the suspension will be lifted or made permanent will be determined at the August hearing. Until then, pressure continues to mount on judicial authorities and law enforcement to bring clarity and justice to a case that reflects deep-seated problems within the nation’s security and legal systems.
